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AMERICAN BOYS* SERIES 

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Adrift. Page 162 


Adrift in the Ice-Fields 


CAPT. 



CHARLES wr HALL, 

« I 

)B OF “THtf VBBAT BOKABZA,** BTC. 


ILLUSTBATZD. 


BOSTON : 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 





■» f5 

II 


1305 

iJOWTii^lU V^lUif 

6Z 1^0 6' 

f X 3 2.0 i 


Copyright, 1877, by 
LEE AND 8HEPAHD 

Copyright, 1905, by 
CHARLES W. HALL 
All Rights Reserved 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS 


PREFACE. 


To open to the youth of America a knowledge of 
some of the winter sports of our neighbors of the mar- 
itime provinces, with their attendant pleasures, perils, 
successes, and reverses, the following tale has been 
written. 

It does not claim to teach any great moral lesson, 
or even to be a guide to the young sportsman ; but 
the habits of all birds and animals treated of here have 
been carefully studied, and, with the mode of their cap- 
ture, have been truthfully described. 

It attempts to chronicle the adventures and misadven- 
tures of a party of English gentlemen, during the early 
spring, while shooting sea-fowl on the sea-ice by day, 
together with the stories with which they whiled 
away the long evenings, each of which is intended to 
illustrate some peculiar dialect or curious feature of 
the social life of our colonial neighbors. 

Later in the season the breaking up of the ice car- 
ries four hunters into involuntary wandering, amid the 
vast ice-pack which in winter fills the great Gulf of 
St. Lawrence. Their perils, the shifts to which they 
are driven to procure shelter, food, fire, medicine, and 
other necessaries, together with their devious drift 
and final rescue by a sealer, are used to give interest to 
what is believed to be a reliable description of the 
ice-fields of the Gulf, the habits of the seal, and life on 
board of a sealing steamer. 


4 


PREFACE. 


It would seem that the world had been ransacked to 
provide stories of adventure for the boys of America ; 
but within the region between the Straits of Canso and 
the shores of Hudson’s Bay there still lie hundreds 
of leagues of land never trodden by the white man^s 
foot; and the folk-lore and idiosyncrasies of the popu- 
lation of the Lower Provinces are almost as unknown 
to us, their near neighbors. 

The descendants of emigrants from Bretagne, Pic- 
ardy, Normandy, and Poitou, still retaining much of 
their ancient patois, costume, habits, and superstitions ; 
the hardy Gael, still ignorant of any but the language 
of Ossian and his burr-tongued Lowland neighbors ; the 
people of each of Ireland's many counties, clinging still 
to feud, fun, and their ancient Erse tongue, together 
with representatives from every English shire, and the 
remnants of Indian tribes and Esquimaux hordes, — 
offer an opportunity for studyof the differences of race, 
full of picturesque interest, and scarcely to be met 
with elsewhere. 

The century which has with us almost realized the 
apostolic announcement, Old things are passed 
away ; behold, all things have become new,^^ with them 
has witnessed little more than the birth, existence, and 
death of so many generations, and the old feuds and 
prejudices of race and religion, little softened by the 
lapse of time, still remain with their appropriate de- 
velopments, in the social life of the scattered peoples 
of these northern shores. 

Regretting that the will to depict those life-pictures 
has not been better seconded by more skill in word- 
painting, the author lays down his pen, hoping that the 
pencil of the artist will atone, in some degree, for his 
own many short-comings.^^ 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Our Company 9 

II. Building the Ice-Houses. — Matthew Col- 
lins’s Ghost 19 

III. The Silver Thaw. — A Fox Hunt. — Anthony 

Worrell’s Dog 55 

IV. The Grand Flight. — A Good Stratagem. — 

The Packet Light 75 

V. A Mad Sportsman. — Snow-blind. — A Night 

OF Peril 95 

VI. Additions to the Party. — An Indian Outfit. 

— A Contested Election 110 

VII. A Change in the Weather. — Breaking up of 
THE Ice. — Jim Mountain’s Fight with the 

Devil 136 

VIH. Float-Shooting. — A General Field-Day. — 

Changes of the Ice 148 

IX. Adrift 158 


5 


6 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER page 

X. The Council. — Passing the Cape 169 

XL Taking an Inventory. — Setting up the 

Stove 175 

XII. Doctoring under Difficulties. — An Anx- 
ious Night. — Frozen up 187 

XIII. The Chapel Bell. — The First Seal. — The 

North Cape. — A Snow-Squall 199 

XIV. The Pack opens. — Mysterious Murmurs. — 

Love Scenes and Sounds 207 

XV. A Sail. — The Sealing Grounds. — The Es- 
quimaux Lamp. — An Indian Legend. . . 220 

XVI. The Breeding-Grounds of the Seal. — A 
Curious Sight. — A Sharp Encounter. — 

Ice Changes 230 

XVII. Enlarging the Boat. — Winged Scavengers. 

— Notice to quit 244 

XVIII. A Change of Base. — Building a Snow-Hut. 

— The View from the Berg. — A Strange 

Meeting 254 

XIX. The Ring. — The Burial. — A Mausoleum of 

Ice 263 

XX. A Strange Life-History. — Among the Red 

Indians 271 


CONTENTS. 


7 


CHAPTER 

XXL Northward again. — The Steamer. — Tak- 
ing TO THE Boat 

XXI 1 . The Forecastle of the Sealer. — A Seal- 
er’s Story.— The Last Hunt. — Arrival 

AT St. John’s 

XXI 1 1 . The Captain’s Visit. — Homeward bound. — 


PAGE 

287 


303 


Brother and Sister. 


313 


Longitude 



CHAPTER I. 


OUR COMPANY. 

IVE hundred miles away to the north and 
east lies the snug little Island of St. Jean; 
a beautiful land in summer, with its red 
cliffs of red sandstone and ruddy clay, sur- 
mounted by green fields, which stretch away inland 
to small areas of the primeval forest, which once 
extended unbroken from the shores of the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence to the waters of the Straits of Northum- 
berland. 

Drear and desolate is it in winter, when the straits 
are filled with ice, which, in the shape of fioe, and 
berg, and pinnacle, pass in ghostly procession to and 
fro, as the wind wafts them, or they feel the diurnal 
impetus of the tides they cover, to escape in time from 
the narrow limits of the pass, and lose themselves 
in the vast ice-barrier that for five long months shuts 
out the havens of St. Jean from the open sea. 

No ship can enter the deserted ports, over whose 

9 




10 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


icy covering the farmer carries home his yearns firing, 
and the young gallant presses his horse to his great- 
est speed to beat a rival team, or carry his fair com- 
panion to some scene of festivity twenty miles away. 
Many spend the whole winter in idleness ; and to all 
engaged in aught but professional duties, the time 
hangs heavily for want of enjoyable out-of-door em- 
ployment. It is, therefore, a season of rejoicing to 
the cooped-up sportsman when the middle of March 
arrives, attended, as is usually the case, by the first 
lasting thaws, and the advent of a few flocks of wild 
geese. 

Among the wealthier sportsmen great preparations 
are made for a spring campaign, which often lasts six 
or eight weeks. Decoys of wood, sheet-iron, and can- 
vas, boats for decoy-shooting and stealthy approach, 
warm clothes, caps, and mittens of spotless white, 
powder by the keg, caps and wads by the thousand, 
and shot by the bag, boots and moccasons water and 
frost proof, and a vast variety of small stores for the 
inner man, are among the necessaries provided, some- 
times weeks in advance of the coming of the few scat- 
tering flocks which form, as it were, the skirmish line 
of the migrating hosts of the Canada goose. 

It is usual for a small party to board with some 
farmer, as near as possible to the shooting grounds, or 
rather ice, for not unfrequently the strong-winged 
foragers, who press so closely on the rearguard of 
the retreating frost king, find nothing in the shape of 


OUR COMPANY, 


11 


open water ; but after leaving their comrades, dead 
and dying, amid the fatal decoys on the h ozen chan- 
nels, sweep hastily southward before cold, fatigue, 
hunger, and the wiles and weapons of man, can finish 
the deadly work so thoroughly begun. 

Such a party of six, in the spring of 18 6-, took up 
their quarters with Captain Lund, a pilot, who held 
the larger portion of the arable land of the little 
Island of St. Pierre, which lies three miles south of the 
mouth of the harbor of C., and ends in two long and 
dangerous shoals, known as the East and West Bars. 

The party was composed of Messrs. Risk, Davies 
(younger and older), Kennedy, Creamer, and La 
Salle. Mr. Henry Risk was an English gentleman, 
of about fifty-five years of age, handsome, portly, and 
genial, a keen sportsman, and sure shot with the long, 
single, English ducking-gun, to which he stuck, 
despite of the jeers and remonstrances of the owners 
of muzzle and breech-loading double barrels. 

Davies the elder, an old friend of the foregoing, had 
for many years been accustomed to leave his store and 
landed property to the care of his partners and family, 
while, in company with Risk, he found in the half- 
savage life and keen air of the ice-fields a bracing 
tonic, which prepared them for the enervating cares of 
the rest of the year. The two had little in common — 
Risk being a stanch Episcopalian, and Davies an uncom- 
promising Methodist. Risk, rather conservative, and 
his comrade a ready liberal ; but they both possessed 


12 


ADRIFT IN THE I C E-FI BIDS. 


the too rare quality of respect for the opinions of others, 
and their occasional disputations never degenerated 
into quarrels. 

Ben Davies, a nephew of the foregoing, and also a 
merchant, was an athletic young fellow, of about five 
feet eight, just entering upon his twenty-second year. 
A proficient in all manly exercises, and a keen sports- 
man, he entered into this new sport with all the 
enthusiasm of youth, and his preparations for the 
spring campaign were on the most liberal scale of 
design and expenditure. In these matters he relied 
chiefiy on the skill, experience, and judgment of his 
right-hand man and shooting companion, Hughie 
Creamer. 

Hughie was of Irish descent, and middle size, but 
compact, lithe, and muscular, with a not unkindly face, 
which, however, showed but too plainly the marks of 
habitual dissipation. A rigger by occupation, a sailor 
and pilot at need, a skilful fisherman, and ready shot, 
with a roving experience, which had given him a 
smattering of half a score of the more common handi- 
crafts, Hughie was an invaluable comrade on such a 
quest, and as such had been hired by his young 
employer. It may be added, that a more plausible 
liar never mixed the really interesting facts of a 
changeable life with well-disguised fiction ; and it 
may be doubted if he always knew himself which 
part of some of his favorite yarns were truths, and 
which were due, as a phrenologist would say, to 


OUR COMPANY. 


13 


language and imaginativeness large, insufficiently 
balanced by conscientiousness/^ 

Kennedy was a wiry little New Brunswicker, born 
just across the St. Croix, but a thorough- going 
Yankee by education, business habits, and naturaliza- 
tion. Brahmin among the Brahmins,^’ he believed 
in the New York Tribune, as the purest source of all 
uninspired wisdom ; and bitterly regretted that the 
manifold avocations of Horace Greeley had thus far 
prevented that truly great man from enlightening his 
fellow-countrymen on the habits and proper modes of 
capture of the Anser Canadiensis, As, despite his 
attenuated and dry appearance, there was a deal of 
real humor in his composition, Kennedy was consid- 
ered quite an addition to our little party. 

La Salle was — Well, reader, you must judge for 
yourself of what he was, by the succeeding chapters 
of this simple history, for he it is who recalls from 
the past these faint pen-pictures of scenes and pleas- 
ures never to be forgotten, although years have 
passed since their occurrence, and the grave has 
already claimed two of the six, — Risk, the robust 
English gentlemen, and Hughie, the cheery, ingenious 
adventurer. It is not easy to draw a fair picture of 
one^s self, even with the aid of a mirror, and when one 
can readily note the ravages of time in thinning locks 
and increasing wrinkles, it is hard to speak of the 
robust health of youth without exaggeration. At that 
time, however, he was about twenty-three, having 


14 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


dark hair and eyes, a medium stature, and splendid 
health. Like Hughie, in a humbler sphere, he was 
a dabbler in many things, — lawyer, novelist, poet, 
trader, inventor, what not ? — taking life easily, with 
no grand aspirations, and no disturbing fears for 
the future. In the intervals of business he found 
a keen delight in the half-savage life and wholly 
natural joys of the angler and sportsman, and ever 
felt that to wander by river and mere, with rod 
and gun, would enable him to draw from the breast of 
dear old Mother Earth that rude but joyous physical 
strength, with the possession of which it is a constant 
pleasure even to exist. 

It was late at night when, by the light of the winter 
moon, the boats and decoys were unloaded from the 
heavy sleds, and placed in position on the various 
bars and feeding-grounds. The ice that season was 
of unusual thickness, and gave promise of lasting for 
many weeks. As under the guidance of Black Bill, 
they entered the farm-yard of his master, the elder 
Lund, they found the rest of the family just entering 
the house, and joining them, attacked, with vora- 
cious appetites, a coarse but ample repast of bacon, 
potatoes, coarse bread, sweet butter, and strong black 
tea. After this guns were prepared, ammunition and 
lunch got ready for the coming morning, for, with the 
earliest gleam of the rising sun, they were to com- 
mence the first short day of watching for the north- 
ward coming hosts of heaven. 


OUR COMPANY, 


15 


The exact manner in which the ingenious Mrs. 
Lund managed to accommodate six sportsmen, besides 
her usual family of four girls, three boys, and a hired 
man, within the limits of a low cottage of about nine 
small apartments, has always been an unsolved mys- 
tery to all except members of the household. To be 
sure. Risk and the elder Davies occupied a luxurious 
couch of robes and blankets in the little parlor, and a 
huge settle before the kitchen stove opened its allur- 
ing recesses to Ben and his man Friday, while one 
of the elder sons and Black Bill shared with Kennedy 
and La Salle the largest of the upper rooms. In later 
years, the question of where the eight others slept, 
has attained a prominent place among the unsolved 
mysteries of life ; but at that time all were tired 
enough to be content with knowing that they could 
sleep soundly, at all events. 

Pew have ever passed from port to port of the 
great Gulf, without meeting, or at least hearing, of 
Captain Tom Lund,^^ known as the most skilful pilot 
on the coast. 

“ Alike to him was tide or time, 

Moonless midnight or matings prime.” 

And when his skill could not make a desired haven, or 
tide over a threatened danger, the mariners of the 
Gulf deemed the case hopeless indeed. 

Every winter, however, the swift Princess lay in 
icy bonds, beside the deserted wharves, and the vet- 


16 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


eran pilot went home to his farm, his little house with 
its brood of children, his shaggy horses. Highland 
cows, and long-bodied sheep, and became as earnest a 
farmer as if he had never turned a vanishing furrow 
on the scarless bosom of the ocean. Always pleasant, 
anxious to oblige, careful of the safety of his guests, 
and with a seaman^s love of the wonderful and mar- 
vellous, he played the host to general satisfaction, and 
in the matter of charges set an example of moderation 
such as is seldom imitated in this selfish and merce- 
nary world. 

After supper, however, on this first evening, an 
unwonted cloud hung over the brow of the host, which 
yielded not to the benign infiuence of four cups of 
tea, and eatables in proportion; withstood the sedative 
consolations of a meerschaum of the best Navy,’^ and 
scarcely gave way when, with the two eldest of the 
party, he sat down to a steaming glass of something 
hot,^^ whose controlling spirit was materialized 
from a bottle labelled Cabinet Brandy. After a sip 
or two, he hemmed twice, to attract general attention, 
and said, solemnly, — 

It is nonsense, of course, to warn you, gents, of ^ 
danger, when the ice is so thick everywhere that you 
couldn’t get in if you tried ; but mark my words, that 
something out of the common is going to happen this 
spring, on this here island. I went over to the Pint, 
just now, after you came into the yard, to look up one 
of the cows, and saw two men in white walking up the 


OUR COMPANY. 


17 


track, just below the bank. I thought it must be 
some of you coming up from the East Bar, but all of a 
sudden the men vanished, and I was alone ; and when 
I came into the yard, you were all here ! Now some- 
thing of the kind almost always precedes a death 
among us, and I shan’t feel easy until your trip is 
safely over, and you are all well and comfortable at 
home.” 

Now, Lund,” said the elder Davies, you don’t 
believe in any such nonsense, do you ? ” 

Nonsense ! ” said Lund, quietly but gravely ; lit- 
tle Johnnie there, my youngest boy, will tell you that 
he has often seen on the East Bar the warning glare 
of the Packet Light, which often warns us of the 
approach of a heavy storm. It is nearly thirty years 
since it first glowed from the cabin windows of the 
doomed mail packet, but to all who dwell upon this 
island its existence is beyond doubt. Pew who 
have sailed the Gulf as I have, but have seen the 
Fireship which haunts these waters, and more than 
once I have steered to avoid an approaching light, 
and after changing my course nearly eight pints, 
found the spectre light still dead ahead. No, gentle- 
men, I shan’t slight the warning. If you value life, 
be careful ; for if we get through the breaking up 
of the ice without losing two men, I shall miss my 
guess.” 

Come, Tom,” said Bisk, quickly, “ don’t depress 
the spirits of the youngsters with such old-world 
2 


18 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


superstitions. As you say, they .couldn^t get through 
the ice now if they would, without cutting a hole ; and 
rvhen the ice grows weak, will be time enough for 
you to worry. Take another ruffle to your night- cap, 
Tom, and you youngsters had better get to bed, and 
prepare to take to the ice at six o’clock, after a cup 
of hot coffee and a lunch of sandwiches. Here’s luck 
all round, gentlemen.” 

The toasts were drank by the three elderly men, 
and re-echoed by the younger ones, who chose not to 
avail themselves of the proffered stimulant, and then 
all sought repose in their allotted quarters. Fifteen 
minutes later the house was in utter darkness and 
silence, through which the varied breathings of sixteen 
adults and children would have given ample oppor- 
tunities for comparison to any waking auditor, had 
such there been ; but no one kept awake, and to all 
intents and purposes silence reigned supreme.” 



BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES. 


19 


CHAPTER 11. 

BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES. — MATTHEW 
COLLINS’S GHOST. 

T daybreak the gunners arose, and 
without disturbing the members of 
the family, took some strong, hot cof- 
fee, prepared by the indefatigable 
Creamer, and ate a breakfast, or rath- 
er lunch, of cold meats and bread and 
butter, after which all proceeded to don their shoot- 
ing costume, which, being unlike that worn in any 
other sport, is worthy of description here. 

In ice-shooting, every color but pure white is 
totally inadmissible ; for the faintest shade of any other 
color shows black and prominent against the spotless 
background of glittering ice-field and snow-covered 
cliffs. Risk and his partner wore over their ordinary 
clothing long frocks of white flannel, with white 
havelocks^^ over their seal-skin caps, and their gray, 
homespun pants were covered to the knee by seal- 
skin Esquimaux boots — the best of all water-proof 
walking-gear for cold weather. Risk carried the sin- 
gle ducking-piece before mentioned, but Davies had 
a Blissett breech-loading double-barrel. They had 



20 ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 

chosen their location to the north of the island, near a 
channel usually opening early in the season, but now 
covered with ice that would have borne the weight 
of an elephant. With much banter as to who should 
count first blood, the party separated at the door ; the 
younger Davies and Creamer, with Kennedy and La 
Salle, plunging into the drifted fields to the eastward, 
and in Indian file, trampling a track to be daily used 
henceforward, until the snows should disappear for- 
ever. The two former relied on over-frocks of strong 
cotton, and a kind of white night- caps, while La Salle 
wore a heavy shooting-coat of white mole-skin, seal- 
skin boots reaching to the knee, and armed with 
crampets,^^ or small iron spikes, to prevent slipping, 
while a white cover slipped over his Astrachan cap, 
completed his outre costume. Kennedy, however, 
outshone all others in the strangeness of his shooting 
apparel. Huge arctics were strapped on his feet, 
from which seemed to spring, as from massive roots, 
his small, thin form, clad in a scanty rohe de chambre 
of cotton fiannel, surmounted by a broad sou’wester, 
carefully covered by a voluminous white pocket hand- 
kerchief. The general effect was that of a gigantic 
mushroom carrying a heavy gun, and wearing a huge 
pair of blue goggles. 

La Salle alone of the four carried a huge single 
gun of number six gauge, and carrying a quarter of a 
pound of heavy shot to tremendous distances. The 
others used heavy muzzle -loading double-barrels. A 


BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES. 


21 


brisk walk of fifteen minutes brought them to the 
extremity of the island, and from a low promontory 
they saw before them the Bay, and the East Bar, the 
scene of their future labors. 

Below them the Bar, marked by a low ridge, rising 
above the level of the lower shallows, — for the tide 
was at ebb, — trended away nearly a league into the 
spacious bay, covered everywhere with ice, level, 
smooth, and glittering in the rising sun, save where, 
here and there, a huge white hummock or lofty pinna- 
cle, the fragments of some disintegrated berg, drifted 
from Greenland or Labrador, rose along the Bar, 
where the early winter gales had stranded them. 
Leaping down upon the ice-foot, the party hastened 
to their respective stands, nearly a mile out on the 
Bar — Davies being some four hundred yards from 
that of La Salle. 

The stand ’’ of the former was a water-tight box 
of pine, painted white, and about six feet square by 
four deep, which was quickly sunk into the snow- 
covered ice to about half its depth ; the snow and 
ice removed by the shovel, being afterwards piled 
against the sides, beaten hard and smooth, and finally 
cemented by the use of water, which in a few 
moments froze the whole into the semblance of one 
of the thousands of hummocks, which marked the 
presence of crusted snow-drifts on the level ice. 

La Salle, however, had provided better for comfort 
and the vicissitudes of sea-fowl shooting ; occu- 


22 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


pying a broad, flat-bottomed boat, furnished with 
steel-shod runners, and half-decked fore-and-aft, 
further defended from the sea and spray by weather- 
boards, which left open a small well, capable of seat- 
ing four persons. Four movable boards, fastened by 
metal hooks, raised the sides of the well to a height 
of nearly three feet, and a flfth board over the top 
formed a complete housing to the whole fabric. La 
Salle and Kennedy swung the boat until her bow 
pointed due east, leaving her broadsides bearing north 
and south ; and then, excavating a deeper furrow in 
the hollow between two hummocks, the boat was slid 
into her berth, and the broken masses of icy snow 
piled against and over her, until nothing but her cov- 
ering-board was visible. 

A huge pile of decoys stood near, of which about 
two dozen were of wood, such as the Micmac Indian 
whittles out with his curved waghon, or single-handed 
draw-knife, in the long winter evenings. He has 
little cash to spend for paint, and less skill in its 
use, but scorches the smooth, rounded blocks to the 
proper shade of grayish brown, and, with a little 
lampblack and white lead, using his fore-flnger in lieu 
of a brush, manages to imitate the dusky head and 
neck with its snowy ring, and the white feathers of 
breast and tail. 

These rude imitations, with some more artistic ones, 
painted in proflle on sheet-iron shapes, of life-size, 
and a few cork-and-canvas floaters,^^ were quickly 


BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES, 


23 


placed in a long line heading to the wind, which was 
north-west, and tailing down around the boat, the 
southernmost stools being scarce half a gun-shot 
from the stands. 

By the time these arrangements were completed 
it was nearly midday, and the sky, so clear in the 
morning, had become clouded and threatening. The 
chilly north-west breeze, which had made the shel- 
ter of their boats very desirable, had died away, 
and a calm, broken only by variable puffs of wind, 
succeeded. 

We shall have rain or snow to-night,'^ remarked 
La Salle to Kennedy, who, after a few moments of 
watching, had curled himself down in the dry straw, 
and begun to peruse a copy of the Daily Tribune, 
his inseparable companion. 

Yes, I dare say. Greeley says — 

What Greeley said was never known, for at that 
moment a distant sound rung like a trumpet-call on 
the ear of La Salle, and amid the gathering vapors of 
the leaden eastern sky, his quick eye marked the 
wedge -like phalanx of the distant geese, whose leader 
had already marked the long lines of decoys, which 
promised so much of needed rest and welcome com- 
panionship, but concealed in their treacherous array 
nothing but terror and death. 

There they are, Kennedy ! Throw your ever- 
lasting paper down, and get your gun ready. Put 
your ammunition where you can get at it quick, if 


24 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


you want to reload. Ah, here comes the wind in 
good earnest ! 

A gust of wind out of the north-east whistled across 
the floes, and the next moment a thick snow- squall 
shut out the distant shores, the lowering icebergs, the 
decoys of their friends, in fact, everything a hundred 
yards away. 

Where are the geese ? asked Kennedy, as, with 
their backs to the wind, the two peered eagerly into 
the impenetrable pouderie to leeward. 

They were about two miles away, in line of that 
hummock, when the squall set in. I’ll try a call, and 
see if we can get an answer.^^ 

Huk ! huk ! There was a long silence, unbroken 
save by the whistle of the blasts and the metallic rat- 
tle of the sleety snow. 

Ah-huk ! ah-huk ! ah — 

There they are to windward. Down, close ; keep 
cool, and fire at the head of the flock, when I say 
fire ! said La Salle, hurriedly, for scarce sixty yards 
to windward, with outstretched necks and wide- 
spread pinions, headed by their huge and wary 
leader, the weary birds, eager to alight, but appre- 
hensive of unseen danger, swung round to the south- 
west, and then, setting their wings, with confused 
cries, scaled slowly up against the storm to the 
hindmost decoy. 

Hu-uk ! hu-uk ! called La Salle, slowly and more 
softly 


BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES. 


25 


Huk ! hu-uk ! ” answered the huge leader, not a 
score of yards away, and scarce ten feet from the ice. 

Let them come until you see their eyes. Keep 
cool ! aim at the leader ! Ready ! — fire ! 

Bang ! bang ! roared the heavy double-barrel, as the 
white snow- cloud was lit up for an instant with the 
crimson tongues of levin-fire, and the huge leader, 
with a broken wing, fell on the limp body of his dead 
mate. Bang ! growled the ponderous boat-gun, as it 
poured a sheet of deadly flame into the very eyes of 
the startled rearguard. 

A mingled and confused clamor followed, as the 
demoralized flock disappeared in the direction of the 
next ice-house, from which, a few seconds later, a 
double volley told that Davies and Creamer had been 
passed, at close range, by the scattered and frightened 
birds. 

La Salle reloaded, and then leaped upon the ice, and 
gave chase to the gander, which he soon despatched, 
and returning, picked up Kennedy’s other bird, with 
three which lay where the Baby ” had hurled her 
four ounces of “ treble B’s.” Composing the dead 
bodies in the attitude of rest among the other decoys, 
he returned to the boat, and for the first time per- 
ceived that the geese were not the only bipeds which 
had suffered in the late bombardment. 

Leaning over the side-boards of the boat, the fasten- 
ings of which were broken or unfastened, appeared 
Kennedy, apparently engaged in deep meditation, for 


26 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


liis head was bowed until the broad rim of his pre- 
posterous head-covering effectually concealed his face 
from view. 

Here, Kennedy, both your birds are dead, and 
noble ones they are.^^ 

I^m glad of it, for I^m nearly dead, too,’’ came in a 
melancholy snuffle from the successful shot, at whose 
feet La Salle for the first time perceived a huge pool 
of blood. 

Good Heavens ! are you hurt ? Did your gun 
burst?” asked La Salle, anxiously. 

No, I’ve nothin’ but the nose-bleed and a broken 
shoulder, I reckon. Braced my back against that board 
so as to get good aim, and I guess the pesky gun was 
overloaded ; and when she went off it felt like a horse 
had kicked me in the face, and the wheel had run over 
my shoulder.” 

Didn't you know better than to put your shoulder 
between the butt of a gun like that and a half ton of 
ice ? ” asked La Salle. Why, you’ve broken two 
brass hooks, and knocked down all the ice-blocks on 
that side. Can’t I do anything to stop that bleeding ? 
Lay down, face upward, on the ice. Hold an icicle to 
the back of your neck.” 

No, thank you ; I guess it will soon stop of itself 
k. little while ago I cut some directions for curing 
nose-bleed out of the Tribune, and I guess they’re in 
my pocket-book. Yes, here they are : ^ Stuff the nos- 
trils with pulverized dried beef, or insert a small plug 


BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES. 


27 


of cotton-wool, moistened with brandy, and rolled in 
alum/ I’ll carry some brandy and alum the next time 
I go goose- shooting.” 

Or provide a lunch of dried beef,” laughed La 
Salle ; but you had better keep your shoulder free 
after this, and you’ll have no trouble. There, the 
bleeding has stopped, and you’d better load up, while 
I clean away this blood, and cover the boards with 
clean ice.” 

In a short time the marks of the disaster were re- 
moved, and the hunters again took shelter from the 
increasing storm, which had set in harder than ever. 
The snow, however, inconvenienced the friends but 
little, and as Kennedy could not read, they talked over 
the cause of his little accident. 

I had no idea that a gun could kick with such 
force. I shan’t dare to fire her again, if another 
fiock puts in an appearance,” said the disabled goose- 
shooter. 

Had your shoulder been free, you would not have 
felt the recoil, which, even in a heavy, well-made gun, 
is equal to the fall of a weight fifty to sixty pounds 
from a height of one foot, and in overloaded or defec- 
tive guns, exceeds twice and even three times that. 
It is a wonder that your shoulder was not broken, and 
a still greater wonder that you killed your birds.” 

At this moment a hail came from the direction of 
the other boat, which was answered by La Salle, and 
in a few moments, after several halloos and replies, 


28 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


two human forms were seen through the scud, and 
Ben and Creamer made their appearance, gun in 
hand. A brace of geese, held by the necks, dangled 
by the side of the latter, and showed that their shots 
had not been thrown away. 

This storm will last all night,” said Davies, anx- 
iously, “ and weTe only an hour to sundown. Crea- 
mer, here, started a little while ago to find out what 
you had shot. He lost his way, and was going right 
out to sea past me, when I called to him, and I 
thought we had better try to get ashore before it gets 
any darker.” 

Does any one know in just what direction the 
Point lies ? ” asked Creamer, with that dazed ” ex- 
pression peculiar to persons who have been lost.” 

Our boat lies nearly in a direct line east and west, 
and a line intersecting her stem and stern will fall a 
few rods inside of the island. We are about three 
quarters of a mile from the house, and by counting 
thirteen hundred and twenty paces in that direc- 
tion, we should find ourselves near the shore, just 
below the house, if our course was correct,” said La 
Salle. 

Yes,” said Creamer, but no man can keep a 
straight line in a storm like this, when one hummock 
looks just like another, and there isnT a star to lay 
one^s course by.” 

I once saw in the Tribune,” said Kennedy, 
eagerly, a way to lay a farm-line by poles stuck in 


BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES. 


29 


the ground. It also recommended ^ blazing ^ trees in 
the woods for the same purpose. 

To blazes with yer poles and blazed trees, Mr. 
Kennedy, saving yer presence ; all the newspapers 
in Boston caift teach me anything in laying a straight 
line where I can have or make marks that can be 
seen ; but there are no poles here, and we couldn’t see 
them if we had them.^^ 

“ Creamer, donT get so desperate. Kennedy has 
furnished the idea, and I think I can get the party 
ashore without any trouble. Now let all get ready to 
start, and Idl lay the course for the others.’^ 

In a few moments the decoys were stacked to pre- 
vent drifting, and the boat covered so that no snow 
could penetrate. A pair of small oars were first, 
however, removed, which were set upright at either 
extremity of the boat, and in direct line with the 
keel. 

There is our proper direction, said La Salle. 

Now, Creamer, take your birds, gun, and one decoy, 
and align yourself with these oars when you have 
counted one hundred paces. When you have done 
so, face about and turn the beak of the decoy towards 
the boat. Now, Ben,^^ continued he, when this was 
done, walk up within twenty yards of Creamer, and 
let me align you ; Kennedy will go with you, and, 
counting one hundred paces beyond Creamer, will be 
aligned by you. You will then be relieved by me, 
and placing yourself behind Kennedy, will direct 


30 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Creamer to the right position, when he has paced 
one hundred yards farther. At every other hundred 
yards an iron decoy must be placed, pointing towards 
the boat.'' 

The plan thus conceived was carried out until thir- 
teen hundred paces had been counted, when La Salle, 
begging all to keep their places, hurried to the front. 
It was now nearly dark, and nothing but driving snow 
was anywhere visible. Creamer was at the lead, but 
disconsolate and terrified, having utterly lost his reck- 
oning. 

u We're astray, sir, completely," he said, hopelessly. 
Mother of Heaven ! " he ejaculated, as a dim radi- 
ance shone through the scud a little to their rear, 
there's the ^ Packet Light,' and we are lost men." 

Buffeted by the heavy gusts and sharp sleet which 
froze on the face as it fell. La Salle felt for a moment 
a thrill of the superstitious fear which had overcome 
the usually stout nerves of his companion ; but his 
cooler nature reasserted itself, although he knew that 
no house stood in the direction of the mysterious 
light, which seemed at times almost to disappear, and 
then to shine with renewed radiance. 

There is nothing earthly about that thing, sir. 
Macquarrie's house is a long piece from the shore, 
and Lund's is hidden by the woods. See ; look there, 
sir, for the love of Heaven ! " and the stout sailor 
trembled like a child as the light, describing a sharp 
curve, rose ten or twelve feet higher into the air, 


BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES, 


31 


where it seemed to oscillate violently for a few sec- 
onds, and then to be at rest. 

Let us hail it, any way,’^ said La Salle ; perhaps 
we have made some house on the opposite shore. 

‘MVe haven’t gone a mile, sir ; and as for hailing 
that^ sir, I‘d as soon speak the Flying Dutchman, and 
ask her captain aboard to dinner.” 

W ell. I’ll try it, anyhow. — ^ Halloo ! Light, ahoy ! ^ ” 
he shouted, placing his hands so as to aid the sound 
against the wind, which blew across the line of direc- 
tion between them and the mysterious light. Again 
and again the hail was repeated, but no answer fol- 
lowed. 

You may call until doomsday^ but they who have 
lit that lamp will never answer mortal hail again. 
They died thirty falls ago, amid frost and falling 
snow, ay, and foaming breakers, on this very bar, and 
the men on shore saw the light shiver, and swing, and 
disappear, as we saw it just now.” 

Well, I don’t believe in that kind of light, and I, 
for one, am going to see what it is. Now, don’t move 
from your place, but watch the light, and if you hear 
the report, or see the flash, of my gun, answer it once 
with both barrels, counting three between the first 
and second shots. If I fire a second time, call all 
hands and come ashore.” 

Well, Master Charley, I wouldn’t venture it for all 
on the face of the earth ; but we must do something, 
and the Lord be between ye and harm. See, now,” 


32 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


he added, in a lower tone, you’re a heretic, I know, 
the Virgin pardon ye ; but I’ll say a Pater and two 
Aves, and if you never come back — ” 

There, there, Hughie, old fellow, don’t go mad 
with your foolish fears. Pray for yourself and us, if 
you please, for it is a terrible night, and we may well 
stand in need of prayer ; but do your duty like a man. 
Stand in your place until I summon you, and then 
come, if a score of ghosts stand in the way.” 

The next second Hughie stood alone, watching the 
tremulous radiance of the mysterious beacon, which 
La Salle rapidly approached, not without fear, it may 
be, but with a settled determination superior to the 
weakness which he felt, for the danger, exposure, and* 
settled fears of his companion had almost transmitted 
their contagion to his own mind. As he drew nearer, 
however, the apparition resolved itself into a large 
reflecting lantern, suspended from a pole, in the hands 
of Captain Lund, who had headed a party to assist 
their friends to And the shore. The approach of our 
hero was not at first noticed, as he came up the bank 
a little to the rear of the party. 

I’m sure, gentlemen, I don’t know what to advise ; 
and yet we can’t let them perish on the floes. We 
had better get the guns, and build a bonfire on the 
cape below ; perhaps they may see it ; but it wasn’t 
for nothing that I saw those men the other night. 
Poor La Salle laughed at it^ but if he was here 



Capt. Lund headed a Party to assist their Priends 

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BUILDING THE ICE-HOUSES, 


33 


He is here, captain, thanks to your lantern, al- 
though Hughie, who is out on the ice yonder, shiver- 
ing with fright and fear, vowed that it was the 
^ Packet Light,^ and would scarcely let me come to 
see what it was. But this is no time to tell long 
stories ; so Pll give the signal at once.’^ 

Creamer, fearfully watching the luminous spot, saw 
suddenly beside a jet of red flame, as the heavy gun 
roared the welcome signal that all was well ; and 
scarcely a half moment later a . still heavier report 
called the perplexed and wearied party to the shore, 
where they found themselves but about ten minutes’ 
walk from the house. 

Half an hour later, the bustling housewife sum- 
moned them to the spacious table, which was crowded 
with a profusion of smoking-hot viands, among which 
two huge geese, roasted to a turn, attracted the atten- 
tion of all. Mr. Risk saw the inquiring looks of the 
others, and rose to explain.” 

“ Davies and I claim ^ first blood,’ as you see, hav- 
ing killed this pair, which, early in the morning, flew 
in from the westward, and were just lighting among 
our decoys, when we each dropped our bird. We 
came in early, seeing the storm brewing, and, being 
warned by Indian Peter, we escaped much incon- 
venience, if not danger, and were able to supply a 
brace of hot geese for supper. We shall expect a 
similar contribution to the general comfort from each 
party in rotation, in accordance with the ancient 
3 


34 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


usage of professors of our venerable and honorable 
mystery. 

Well, Lund/’ he continued, the omen is not yet 
verified, although the party was nearly lost, and would 
have been altogether, if Hughie here had had his way, 
when he took your lantern for a ghost. 

Well, it does seem foolish, now that it is all over ; 
but I have seen the ^ Packet Light ’ myself too often 
not to believe in it, and so I was as simply frightened 
at the captain’s lantern as the people of Loughrea were 
at Matthew Collins’s ghost.” 

La Salle noted the look of annoyance which clouded 
the usually placid brow of their host, and hastened to 
allay the threatened storm. Rising from his seat, he 
begged the attention of the company. 

As we are to spend our evenings together for 
some weeks, it seems to me that it would not be a 
bad plan to require of each of our company, in rota- 
tion, some tale of wonder or personal adventure. 
Hughie has just referred to what must be an interest- 
ing and little known local legend of his mother isle. 
I move that we adjourn to the kitchen, and pass an 
hour in listening to it.” 

The proposition met with general favor, and rising, 
the company passed into the unplastered kitchen, 
through whose thin walls and poorly seasoned sashes 
came occasional little puffs of the furious wind, which 
whistled and howled like a demon without. The gun- 
ners seated themselves around the huge fireplace, in 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST, 


35 


which a pile of dried gnarled roots filled the room 
with light and warmth, and lighting pipe or cigar, 
as fancy dictated, gave a respectful attention to the 
promised story. 

As will be gathered from the preceding conversa- 
tion, Creamer spoke excellent English, but as is often 
the case when excited, he lapsed at times into a rich 
brogue. This he did to a considerable degree in 
relating what he was pleased to call the story of 

Matthew Collins's Ghost. 

I was only a babe in arms when my father crossed 
the ocean to settle down on the Fane estate as one of 
the number of settlers, called for by the terms of the 
original grant. His father was a warm houlder in 
Errigle-Trough, and had my father been patient and 
industhrious, he would in a few years have rinted as 
good an hundhred acres as there was in that section. 
But the agent tould of land at a shillin' an acre, with 
wood in plenty, and trees that grew sugar, and game 
and fish for every one, and my father thought that he 
was provided for for life, when, with his lease in his 
pocket and a free passage, he stepped on board the 
ould ship that bore us to this little island. 

He wasn't far wrong, for he died when I was 
fifteen, worn out with clearin' woodland, and working 
all winter in the deep snow at lumbering, to keep us 
in bread and herrin'. He was a disappointed, worn- 
out old man at forty, and it was only when he told of 


36 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


the good old times of his youth that I ever seen him 
smile at all, at all. 

Matthew Collins was a well-to-do farmer of the 
neighboring parish of Errigie-Keeran, and had a snug 
cottage and barn, with a good team of plough-horses, 
a cow, two goats, and a pig, beside poulthry enough 
to keep him in egg-milk, and even an occasional fowl 
or two on a birthday, or holy feast. He married Katty 
Bane, one of the prettiest girls and greatest coquettes 
in the whole parish. She, however, made him a good 
wife and careful manager, until the events of my 
sthory. 

One day, late in the fall, Matthew harnessed his 
horses in a hay-riggin’, and drove off to the bog, five 
miles away, to haul in his winter^s firin’. He wrought 
all day, getting the dried turfs into a pile, and had 
just half loaded his team, when a stranger, decently 
dressed, came up to him, and asked if his name was 
Matthew Collins. 

^ That, indeed, is the name that’s on me,’ said Mat- 
thew ; ^ and what might you be wantin’ of me ? ’ 

^ I’ve sorrowful news for you. Mat,’ said the stran- 
ger. ^ Your sister Rose, that married my poor cousin 
Tim Mulloy, beyant the mountains, is dead, and I’m 
sint to bid ye to the berryin’ to-morrow.’ 

For a few moments Matthew gave way to a natural 
feeling of grief at the loss of his sister ; but he soon 
bethought himself that he was five miles from home, 
and that a circuitous road of at least twenty miles lay 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST 


37 


between his house and the parish of his sister’s hus- 
band. 

can never do it, that^s certain/ said he to the 
stranger. ‘ It’s five miles home, and there’s changin’ 
my clothes, and a twenty-mile drive over a road that 
it’s timptin’ Providence to attimpt in the dark.’ 

^ It’s a great bother, intirely,” said the stranger, 
refiectively. ^ Musha ! I have it. Take my clothes, 
and take the short cut across the Devil’s Nose. In 
three hours you’ll be at the wake, and I’ll dhrive 
the team home and tell the good woman, and be round 
with a saddle-horse before mornin’.’ 

^ Faith it’s yourself that’s the dacent thing, anj 
how ; and I’m sorry that I can’t be at home to thraU 
you with a bottle of the rale poteen. Never mind ; tell 
Nancy it’s in the thatch above the dure ; and you’re 
welcome to it all the same as if I were there myself.’ 

^ We won’t part without a glass, any how,’ said the 
stranger, laughingly. ^ I’ve a pint bottle of the rale 
stuff, and some boiled eggs, and we’ll soon have a 
couple of the shells emptied, in the shake of a lamb’s 
tail, and thin we’ll change clothes and dhrink to your 
safe journey.’ 

Accordingly the two exchanged clothes, and sat 
for half an hour, while the stranger described the last 
illness of the deceased, and the respect shown her 
memory by the people of her parish. 

^ Divil a whole head will be left in the parish, if 
they dhrink all the whiskey ; and there’s stacks of 


38 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE- FEUDS. 


pipes, and lashings of tobacky, with tay and cakes, and 
the house in a blaze with mould candles. Is the road 
azy to find ? ^ continued he. ^ For I^m goin’, my lone, 
where I never was afore. ^ 

^ It’s as plain as a pikestaff to the very door. Only 
take tent of the bridge at the slough, two miles be- 
yant ; for there’s a broken balk that may upset ye.’ 

^ I’ll warrant I’ll look out for that. Have one more 
noggin. Here's a safe journey and a dacint herrin' to 
us both' 

With this rather Irish toast, the two separated, 
Matthew seeing the stranger safe off the moss, and 
then commencing his short but fatiguing journey 
over the narrow mountain path which lay between 
him and his destination. 

Long before sunset, the careful Katty had had the 
delph teapot simmering among the hot peat ashes; 
and the well-browned bacon and mealy potatoes, care- 
fully covered to retain the heat, only awaited the 
return of ^ the master ’ from the distant bog. They 
had no children; but Andy, Katty’s brother (a gossoon 
of thirteen), eyed the simple supper anxiously, going 
from time to time to the door to see if he could see 
the well-known gray horses gnming by the old buck- 
thorn, where the little lane joined the main road. 

The sunset, the night, came on, and Katty became 
hungry and out of temper. 

^ Andy, alannali,' said she, ^ run to the hill beyant, 
and try can you see aught of the masther; for I’m 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST 


39 


tired wid the day’s spinnin’, and hungry, and 
wake.’ 

The boy went, but returned, saying that no team 
was in sight. 

^Thin, Andy, jewel, we’ll have our supper anyhow ; 
for the tay’ll be black wid thrawin’, and the bacon 
and praties spilt intirely.’ 

Accordingly the two sat down and finished their 
evening meal, expecting every moment to hear the 
cheery voice of Matthew as he urged his garrons 
with their heavy load up the steep lane beside the 
cottage. 

About nine o’clock, the wife became alarmed, and 
with Andy went to a neighbor’s. Tim O’Connell, the 
village blacksmith, had just fallen asleep after a hard 
day’s work, and woke in no very amiable frame of 
mind as Katty rapped at the door. 

Who’s there at all at this time of night?’ said 
he, grulBSy. 

^ Only meself, Katty Collins, and Andy,’ said 
Katty, rather dolorously, for she was now thoroughly 
alarmed. 

^ Alice, colleen, up and unbar the dure. Come in, 
neighbor, and tell us what is the matther at all.’ 

^ 0, Tim ! Matthew’s been gone all day to the bog, 
and isn’t home yet. Could ye go wid the lad down 
the road, and see if anything has happened to him- 
self or the bastes, the craters ? ’ 

It was not like Tim O’Connell to refuse^ and, calling 


40 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


his assistant in the forge, young Larry Callaghan, he 
lighted a tallow candle, which he placed in a battered 
tin lantern, and hastened out on his neighborly errand, 
while Katty was easily persuaded by Mrs. O^Connell 
to ^ stay by the fire ’ until the men returned. 

The party saw nothing of the team or its owner 
until the dangerous road led into a narrow but deep 
ravine, at whose bottom an ill-made causeway led 
across a dangerous slough. 

' Holy Virgin, boys, but he^s been upset ! There^s 
the cart across the road, and one of the bastes in the 
wather; but whereas the masther at all? Come on, 
b’ys; wedl thry and save the garrons any way.^ 

They found the cart upset as described, and one 
of the horses exhausted with struggling under the 
pole. The other, saved only from drowning by the 
fact that its collar had held its head against the bank, 
had evidently kicked and splashed until the water 
was thick with the black muck stirred up from the 
bottom. 

It was only the work of a few moments to free the 
horse in the road, and then the three proceeded to 
unloose the other, and draw him to a less steep part 
of the embankment, where, making a sudden effort, 
with a mighty plunge, he gained the road, and stood 
trembling and shaking beside his companion. 

^ Well done, our side,^ said Tim, exultingly. ^ Now 
for the masther. TheyVe run away I doubt, and 
he’s. — What^s the matter with you, Andy, at all ? 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST 


41 


What do you see? Mother of Heaven! it’s himself, 
sure enough I ’ 

Tossed up from the shallows by the convulsive 
plunge of the steed, whose heavy hoofs, in his first 
mad struggles, had beaten the head out of all shape 
of humanity, in the narrow lane of light cast through 
the door of the open lantern, lay the dead farmer, 
with his worn frieze coat torn and blackened, and his 
black hair knotted with pond weeds, and clotted with 
gore. 

It was scarce an hour later that the emptied cart, 
slowly drawn by its exhausted span, bore to the little 
cottage a dead body, amid the wails of scores of the 
simple peasants, and the hysterical and passionate 
grief of the bereaved wife. It was with the greatest 
diflSculty that she was induced to refrain from looking 
at the dead body; although so terribly Was it man- 
gled that the coroner’s jury performed their duties 
with the greatest reluctance, and the obsequies were 
ordered for the very next day. 

The body was accordingly placed in a coffin, above 
which deals, supported on trestles, and covered by 
white sheets, bore candles, plates of cut tobacco, 
pipes, and whiskey. Although but little of the night 
remained after the coroner had performed his duties, 
yet so quickly did the news of the accident spread 
that hundreds of the neighbors came in before morn- 
ing ^ to the wake of poor Matthew 1 God rest his 
sowl.’ 


42 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


The following evening, an unusually large proces- 
sion followed the remains to their last resting-place. 
Nothing could have been more heart-broken than the 
bearing of the widow. Tears, sobs, and cries pro- 
claimed her anguish incessantly, notwithstanding the 
attempts of friends to assuage her sorrow. 

“As they drew near the graveyard, one Lanty Casey, 
an old flame of Katty^s, tried to comfort her in his 
rough way. 

“ ^ Katty, avourneen^ donT cry so, avillish. There^s 
may be happiness for you yet, and there’s them left 
that will love ye as well as him that’s gone — if 
they’d be let.’ 

“ Lanty was a noted lad at fair and pattern, but he 
got a box on the ear that made his head ring until the 
body was safely deposited in the grave. 

“ ^ Who are ye that talks love to a broken-hearted 
woman at the very grave ? 0, Matthew, Matthew, 

that I should live to see this day ! Ochone, odione ! 
are you dead? are you dead?’ 

“ On her way home to her solitary hearth, Katty saw 
ahead of her the hapless Lanty, and hastened to over- 
take him. 

“ ^ Lanty, amcfc,” said she, sweetl}", ^ what were you 
saying there beyant, a while agone ? ’ 

“ ‘ What I’m not likely to say again. I’m not fond 
of such ansthers as ye gev me ; an’ if ye don’t know 
when you’re well off*—’ 

There, there, Lanty, dear; I’m sorry for that 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST. 


43 


same, but what wud the people say, an’ my husband 
not berrid? But I mustn’t be seen talkin’ more wid 
you. I’ll be alone to-night when the gossoon is asleep, 
and ye can dhrap in, and tell me what ye like, av ye 
plaze.’ 

At about ten o’clock that night, the Rev. Patrick 
Mulcahy, while talking over the funeral, and the sad 
events which had led to it, was asked for by the 
young lad, Katty’s brother. 

Well, Andy, lad, what’s wanting now? Is your 
sister feeling better, avick ? ’ 

^ Yes, sir ; and she sint me, your riverence, to see 
wud ye come down and marry her to Lanty Casey the 
night.’ 

^ Are your wits gone asliaugliran, ye gomeral? Or 
is Katty run mad altogether ? ’ 

“ ^ It’s just as I say, your riverence ; and she says 
she’ll pay you a pound English for that same.’ 

^ And I say that if I go down there to-night, that 
I’ll take my whip with me to the shameless hussy. 
The Jezabel, and she nearly dyin’ with grief this 
evening.’ 

^ An’ you won’t marry them, sir? ’ 

A staggering box on the ear with a heavy slipper 
flung from across the room sent the unfortunate mes- 
senger whimpering out of the door ; while the priest, 
honest man, stormed up and down the room until the 
housekeeper entered with a waiter, on which were 


44 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


arrayed a decanter, some tumblers, a lemon, and a 
large tumbler full of loaf sugar. 

^ Come, Peter,^ said he, more calmly, ^ reach the 
kettle from the hob, and well let the jade go. Per- 
haps she’s out of her head, poor thing ! and will for- 
get all about what she says to-night by to-morrow 
morning. What are you grinning at there?’ 

^ Do you remimber the coult ye won from me whin 
I bet that ye couldn’t light your pipe wid the sun ? ’ 

^ Yis, Pether. Ah, I had ye thin, sharp as you 
count yourself!’ 

^ Well, now, Pll bet the very moral of him against 
himself that Katty’ll send up again — if she don’t 
come herself’ 

^ Done ! for twice as much if you will. She doesn’t 
dare — ’ 

^ Good evening, your riverence,’ said a woman’s 
voice. And in the doorway stood Lanty Casey and 
Katty Collins. 

u i come up, your riverence, to see if you’d 

plaze to marry us this night. They toiild us you wor 
angry, sur, and, indade, I don’t blame you; for you 
don’t know all. The man who lies dead beyant was 
able to give me a home, and to keep a roof over the 
heads of my poor father and mother, and I gave up 
Lanty here for him. Now, sir, if you’ll marry us. I’ll 
give you the pig down below — and a finer’s not in 
the parish ; and if not — ’ 

The speaker paused, and, touching the arm of her 


MATTHEW COLLINS'S GHOST 


45 


companion, who evidently feared to speak, retreated 
into the kitchen to await the decision of Father Pat- 
rick, who was almost bursting with chagrin at the 
loss of his wager, and anger at the boldness of his 
parishioner. 

Peter laughed, silently enjoying his brother's dis- 
comfiture, and then suddenly broke out, 

^ Now, whaPs the use, sir, of spitin^ yourself? 
YouVe lost the coult, and the woman is bound to 
have her way. Sure, an’ if you don’t tie the knot, 
all they’re to do is to sind over to Father Cahill — ’ 
^^^The hedge priest — is it? No, I’ll marry them. 
Let them come in, Mrs. Hartigan, but no blessin’ can 
come on such a rite as this.’ 

Without a word of congratulation, the priest per- 
formed the service of his church, and in silence the 
pair proceeded to the cottage of the bride, where 
they fastened the doors and windows securely, and 
retired. The rising moon lighted up the surrounding 
scenery, and the priest and his brother sat later than 
usual over their ^ night-caps ’ of hot Irish whiskey. 

^ Peter,’ said Father Mulcahy, ^ sind young Costi- 
gan down for the pig. Perhaps to-morrow Katty will 
rue her bargain, and we won’t get the crathur.’ 

Costigan (a tight little lad of fourteen), roused from 
the settle-bed by the kitchen fire, soon procured a 
short cord and a whip, and set ofi* on his rather un- 
timely errand. 

A few moments before, a man dressed in holyday 


46 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


garb tried the doors and windows of the cottage, 
and, finding them securely fastened, murmured, — 

^ ^Tis frighted she is, an’ I away, an’ tired, too, 
wid spinnin’. I’ll be bound. Well, I’ll not rise her 
now. There’s clane sthraw in the barn, an’ I’ll slape 
there till mornin’.’ 

The tired traveller had hardly laid himself down, 
with his head on a sheaf of oats, when he saw a 
youth enter the barn, and, deliberately taking a cord 
from his pocket, proceed to affix it to one of the hind 
legs of his much-prized pig, which resented the 
insult with a tremendous squealing. 

Matthew rose quietly, and lowered himself to the 
floor, catching a bridle rein, and getting between the 
trespasser and the wall. 

^ I don’t know what thievish crew claims ye, but 
I’ll lay they’ll see the marks of my hand-write under 
your shirt to-morrow,’ said Matthew, savagely ; but 
to his surprise the lad gave a single shriek, and sank 
down as if in a fit. A dash of water from the stable 
bucket recovered him somewhat, although his mind 
seemed to wander. 

^ Holy angels be about us ! — an’ him dead and ber- 
rid — his very self — come back again ! ’ And broken 
sentences of similar import were hurriedly murmured 
with closed eyes, as if to shut out some hideous 
sight ; and the angry farmer was disarmed completely 
by the evident terror of the boy, who at last rose, 
fearfully opened his eyes, and looked around, 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST. 


47 


‘^^Yes, ye little thafe of the world, I Ve come in 
time — ^ 

With a meaningless yell, or rather shriek of terror, 
the boy rushed out of the door, fell on the frosty road- 
way, tearing his clothes and cutting through the skin 
of both knees ; and heeding nothing but the terror 
behind, sprang again to his feet, and rushed down the 
lane and along the moon-lit road, until, panting, bleed- 
ing, and breathless, he rushed into the priest’s dining- 
room. 

^ 0, yer riverince, he’s come back ! ’ was all that 
the boy could find breath to say for a moment ; and 
Peter, who was rather irascible, took up the discourse 
at once. 

^ It’s yourself that’s come back in a fine plight, you 
graceless, rioting, fighting, thaving young scullion. 
Whose cottage have ye been skylarkin’ round now ? 
and where’s the pig ye was sint for, at all, at all ? ’ 

^ Peace, Pether, and let me discoorse him. Don’t 
ye know that when I sent ye for the dues of the 
church, ye was engaged in its sarvice, — in holy 
ordhers, as it were ? And how comes it, then, that 
you come back without the pig, and looking as 
frighted as if Matthew Collins himself had come 
back ? ’ 

^ And so he has masther, dear,’ said the poor boy. 
^ 0, wirra^ wirra, but afther this night I’ll never be 
out mylone again. I shall always think that I see 
him forninst me, as I met him beyant, the night.’ 


48 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELD 


^ Met Matthew Collins? The gossoon^s crazy/ said 
the priest. 

^ The young devil is lying, more likely. The dead 
donT come back to frighten honest folk, who want 
only their own,’ said Peter, scornfully. 

^ Now, Costigan, go back at wanst, and fetch the 
pig,’ said Father Mulcahy, firmly, but kindly. ^ Ye’ll 
be ready enough to ate him this winther.’ 

0, masther, don’t send me again ! Ate that pig? 
An’ if the pope himself said grace, I’d sooner starve 
than ate a collop of the crater. Why, either his 
sperit, or the devil in his shape, kapes watch over it ; 
and all the money in Dublin wouldn’t timpt me there 
agin after dark.’ 

^^^Well, sir,’ said Peter, savagely, Hhe boy’s fri- 
kened at somethin’, that’s certin’ ; and we shan’t get 
the crather up here the night at all, unless it’s done 
soon. It’s only a stip just, and I’ll go and get the pig, 
and find out what frighted the lad — a loose horse or 
cow, I’ll be bound.’ 

Accordingly, Peter set off on his errand, accom- 
panied by Costigan, who went only on condition that 
he should not enter the barn, and only consented to 
go at all under threat of a tremendous thrashing if he 
refused. 

Scarcely an hour, therefore, had elapsed before 
Matthew was again awakened from sleep by the intru- 
sion of a second midnight visitor. 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST. 


49 


Where is the baste, any way asked the man, in 
gruff, angry tones. 

^ He^s right at the ind of the haggard, in the right 
hand corner,^ tremulously answered a boyish voice 
from the distance of a few rods. 

^ Faith, but the villains is intent on my pig, any 
how,^ muttered the perplexed but angry Matthew, as 
he saw the struggles of his favorite when the robber 
attempted to secure a cord to her hind leg, which he 
seemed to find a difficult task. 

^ The curse of Crom’ll upon ye for an unaisy brute, 
any how, Ned ! Ned Costigan, I say, come, ye little 
divil, and help me tie the knot, ye frikened omadliaun. 
There’s nothing here to be afraid of, barrin’ the gray 
horses an’ the ould cow. Come, I say. — The Vargin 
and St. Father presarve me ! Are ye come back ? ’ 

^ Yes, I’ve come back, and ye’ll go back to whoever 
sint ye, with my mark on yer shoulthers,’ said Mat- 
thew, grimly, as, suiting the action to the word, he 
drew a stout stick from his sleeping-place, and 
brought it down with emphasis upon the head and 
shoulders of the priest’s brother, who, though ordi- 
narily considered ^ as good a man ’ as there was in 
the parish, could scarcely persuade himself that he 
was not the victim of a terrible dream. Although he 
mechanicall}^ grappled and strove with his fearful 
antagonist, he felt the fierce breath of a demon, as 
his breast pressed against that of the dead, and the 
fierce eyes of a fiend, or an avenging ghost, glared 
4 


50 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


into liis, as they fought and wrestled, now in the dark 
shadows, and now in the narrow lane of moonlight, 
which peered through the open door. It was no 
wonder that even the instinct of self-preservation 
failed to nerve him to meet such a foe, and that Mat- 
thew found it a surprisingly easy matter to give him 
a terrible beating. 

Fifteen minutes later, Peter, wan and covered with 
cuts and bruises, entered the priesPs house, and 
swooned on the threshold. It was nearly daylight 
before he recovered himself sufficiently to corroborate 
the story of the lad, that the ghost of Matthew Collins 
jealously watched over his favorite pig. 

^ An^ why didn’t he watch his wife too, Peter ? ’ 
asked the priest, archly. 

^ Faix ! an’ I dunno. But the same man set great 
store by that same baste — bad scran to her ! I wish 
you had been wid us to discoorse the shpirit, and sind 
him back to his placel 

‘ Faith, and only that it’s daylight now, an’ near 
time for matins, I’d just step over, and show ye the 
powers that are delegated to the clargy, avick. I’d 
like to see if Matthew Collins would dare to face 
me afther I’ve buried him dacently.’ 

^ An’ married his wife again,’ said Peter, with a 
feeble attempt at pleasantry. 

^I’ve doubts if I did wisely there, Peter. Sure and 
if the ungratefulness of those they love is enough to 
keep the dead from resting quietly, Matthew Collins 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST. 


51 


should be one of the first to come back and haunt his 
dishonored homestead/ 

^ But if all the dead min that lave wifes aisily con- 
soled for their loss, were to come back, there’ d be 
plinty of haunted houses,’ said Peter, pithily. 

^ Well, we’ll watch there the night, and try to find 
out the mysthery,’ said the priest. ^ But I’m off to 
matins. Be sure and see that Mrs. Hartigan has the 
breakfast ready when I return.’ 

The bell calling the peasantry to their morning 
service awoke Matthew, who hastened to his cottage, 
which he found as closely barred and bolted as the 
night before. 

^ She’s gone to chapel long before this. Well, I’ll 
have a wash at the spring, and away to church.’ 
Saying which, he carefully picked the straw from his 
coat, cleaned his dusty shoes with a wisp of dry grass, 
and after a thorough washing of face and hands, he 
took up the worn felt hat of the stranger, and set off 
down the lane. 

As he got nearly to the main road, a group of neigh- 
bors passed along; but instead of answering his cheer- 
ful greeting, they crossed themselves, and hastened on 
with longer strides, turning from time to time, and 
looking at him in a most puzzling manner. 

^ Sure, the folks are mad,’ muttered poor Matthew, 
^ or else ’tis late we are — that must be it. Well, we 
can run, any way.’ And suiting the action to the 
word, he began to run after his neighbors, who, terri- 


52 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


bly frightened, strove with all their might to preserve 
undiminished the distance between them. 

^ Faix, half the people is late — or is it a fire is 
ragin^? Well, I dunno, but Idl be on hand any how.^ 
And Matthew, taking a long breath, pressed on after 
the flying crowd, which grew larger each moment, as 
group after group of staid and devout worshippers 
recognized the features of their dead neighbor, and 
joined the panting crowd, which, crossing and bless- 
ing themselves, and shrieking and praying with ter- 
ror, sought the protection, of the church, and having, 
as they deemed, found a refuge from the apparition, 
sank exhausted into their seats, to thank God for a 
place of safety. 

But they had reckoned without their host, for the 
next moment the dead man strode through the arched 
door, and deliberately glided towards his accustomed 
seat. In speechless horror the people, with one 
accord, arose and rushed to the altar for protection, 
while many rushed out through the rear entrances, to 
carry the terrible news far and wide. 

“ Pale, but resolute, attended by two trembling altar 
boys with bell and censer. Father Mulcahy advanced 
in front of the astonished cause of this unwonted dis- 
turbance. 

^ In the name of the Blessed Thrinity, I command 
you to retire from this blissid an^ sacred church tc 
the place from whence you came/ 


MATTHEW COLLINSES GHOST 


53 


^ An’ why wud I go back, your riverince ? Shure, 
the body’s buried, an’ I’ve no call there now.’ 

< Why, then, can you find no rest in the grave ? ’ 

This last question ‘ broke the camel’s back.’ 

^ H — to my — There, the Lord forgive me for 
cursin’, and in this blessed an’ howly place. But are 
all the people mad — prastes and darks, payrents and 
childher ? Or am I losin’ my sinses, or enchanted by 
the fairies ? ’ 

“ ^ Matthew,’ said the priest, solemnly, ^ are you 
alive an’ well ? ’ 

“ ^ Yis, your riverence, if I know meself I am.’ 

“ ^ Will you go to the font an’ thrink a taste of the 
holy wather ? ’ 

“ ^ Yes, your riverince, an it’s plasin’ to ye.’ 

It was with much doubt that Father Mulcahy 
awaited the result of his test; but Matthew drank 
about a pint of the consecrated water, and a short con- 
versation made all plain to the priest, and to poor Mat- 
thew, to whom the various events were far from 
being a matter of mirth. 

Accompanied by the priest, he went home, to the 
unutterable horror of the newly-married pair, which 
was little lessened when they found that their unwel- 
come visitor was not from another world. 

^ I am dead to you, Katty,’ said he, with a gentle 
sadness, so different from the burst of passion which 
the priest had feared, that he knew that his heart was 
broken. ‘ All the happiness I had was in your love, 


54 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


and that was false. Go with your new love where 1 
may see you no more.’ 

Matthew died years after, a soured and misan- 
thropic man ; but few legends are better known in his 
native district than the story of Matthew Collins’s 
ghost.” 

As the story ended, Risk thanked the narrator in 
behalf of the auditory, adding, The storm will prob- 
ably change to a thaw before morning, and if it does 
we must be on hand bright and early, for it will bring 
the main body of ^ the first flight.’ ” 

As the company rose to retire, Ben approached La 
Salle. Will you tell me why you made us leave 
decoys at every hundred yards ? ” 

To help us find the way back, should we fail to 
reach the shore. We could have lived out a night 
like this in my ice-boat, but we should long since 
have been sleeping our last sleep beneath the snow- 
wreaths, had we lost our way upon the floes.” 

At daybreak La Salle awoke, but turned again to 
his pillow, as he noted the snow-fiakes form in tiny 
drifts against the lower window panes ; and it was nine 
o’clock before the tired sportsmen completed their 
hasty toilet, and seated themselves around the breaks 
fast table. 



THE SILVER THAW. 


55 


CHAPTER III. 

THE SILVER THAW. — A FOX HUNT. — ANTHONY 
WORRELL’S DOG. 

HE snow at nine o’clock had ceased to 
fall, but had given place to a thick 
hail, which rattled merrily on roof and 
window pane, but soon became softer, 
and mingled with rain as the wind 
veered more to the east and south. 

“ We are in for a heavy thaw,” said the elder Da- 
vies, and to-morrow we shall have good sport. It is 
hardly worth while to get wet to the skin, however, 
for what few birds we shall get to-day.” 

Charley,” said the younger Davies, let us go 
down to the bar and look up our decoys, for if we 
have a heavy thaw they may all be washed away and 
lost.” 

Putting on their water-proof coats, boots, and sou’- 
westers, the young men took their guns and started 
for the eastern end of the island. The drifts were 
very heavy along the fences and under the steep 
banks which overhung the eastern and northern 
shores of the island, and huge hummocks, white, 
amooth^ and unbroken, showed where the snow had 



56 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


entombed huge bergs and fantastic pinnacles. Pacing 
the storm with some difficulty, they got out as far 
as the ice-boat of La Salle, which they found coni- 
pletely covered to the depth of two or three feet. 

We should have been smothered if we had taken 
refuge there last night,^’ said Ben, as he proceeded 
to search for the buried decoys. 

I think not ; for men can breathe below a great 
depth of snow, and I have heard of sheep being taken 
alive from a heavy drift after an entombment of 
twenty or thirty days.’^ 

The decoys were soon gathered, and they pro- 
ceeded to the farther stand, where they took the same 
precaution against the expected flooding of the floes, 
piling the decoys into the box until a pyramid of 
clumsy wooden birds rose several feet above the level 
of the ice, which was fast becoming soft, and covered 
with dirty pools of snow water and nasty sludge.’’ 

A Fox Hunt. 

Here is the track of a fox,” cried Davies, and 
here is where he has killed a goose this morning ; ” 
and La Salle, on hastening to the spot, found a fresh 
trail leading from the main land, and beside the last 
decoy a slight depression around which loose feathers 
and clots of blood told in unmistakable terms that a 
single bird, and not improbably a wounded one, had 
alighted amid the decoys, and trusting to the vigilance 
of his supposed companions, had fallen an easy prey to 
his soft-footed assailant. 


A FOX HUNT. 


57 


Here comes one-armed Peter on his track/^ said 
La Salle ; and in a few moments a tall, finely-built, 
middle-aged Micmac came noiselessly up, bearing in 
his only remaining hand, not a gun, but an axe. 

Where’s your gun, Peter ? said Ben, carelessly ; 
you don’t expect to kill a fox with an axe — do 
you ? 

The Indian’s brow contracted a little, and instantly 
relaxed, as he answered, “ That not fox track at all ; 
that Indian dog, I guess. Martin Mitchell have dog ; 
lun alound like that. No good dog that. Sposum 
mine, kill um.’^ 

Yes, Peter, I’ve no doubt you’d like to kill that 
dog very well. See, he finds his own living for him- 
self. He killed a goose here last night, I see. I s’pose 
your Indian dogs will eat geese raw, but mine never 
would. He sat down here a moment after he had 
killed his bird, and left the marks of a very bushy tail. 
Here’s some of the hair, too. By thunder ! ’tis the 
hair of a black fox.” 

The Indian laughed silently, with no little admira- 
tion of the close observation of the other visible in his 
countenance. Yes, that black fox. I see his track 
last night; trail him two tree mile dis morning. 
No use try to fool you ; fool other white man over 
back there ; you know trail well as Indian. No use 
carry gun, I think ; fox in wet weather get in hollow 
tlee, or under big loot. I cut down tlee and knock 
on head with axe. But if fox on island, I lose him ; no 
tlee there at all big enough.” 


58 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Well, Peter, his trail is straight for the end of the 
point, and he must be in the swamp at the other end 
of the island. We’ll go with you and surround the 
swamp while you enter it. If you fail to tree him, 
we’ll shoot him when he breaks cover, and we’ll divide 
equally whether one or two help to kill him.” And 
La Salle, resting the butt of his heavy gun on his 
boot, drew his load of loose shot, and substituted an 
Eley’s cartridge, containing two ounces of large 
swan-drops.” 

A cloud settled upon the smiling face of the Indian, 
and he broke forth vehemently, I no want you to 
help me. I need oil that money ; you got plenty. I 
been sick, had sick boy, sick old woman, — bery sick. 
I see that fox two time. No got gun ; borrow money 
on him to pay doctor, and get blead. I borrow gun 
one day ; sit all day, no get nothing ; go home, nothing 
to eat. Next day, man use his own gun, kill plenty. 
I know fox in wet day find hollow tlee ; no like to wet 
his tail. I say to-day I kill him, get good gun, get 
does, get plenty blead and tee. I 'know I kill that 
fox.” 

Well, Peter, we won’t trouble you. We’ll go to 
see you kill him, and watch out to see that he don’t 
get clear,” said Davies ; and the Indian, rather hesi^ 
tatingly, assented. 

There was little woodcraft in following the sign,” 
for the tracks were deeply impressed in the soft snow, 
and the heavy body and long neck of his prey had left 


A FOX HUNT. 


59 


numerous impressions where the fox had rested for a 
moment. In the course of half an hour the party had 
gained the shore, and, passing through several fields, 
found themselves in a heavy growth of beech and 
maple. 

The fox, however, had not halted here, but emer- 
ging into a small meadow, had crossed into a close 
copse of young firs and elders, in whose midst a huge 
stump, whitened and splintered, rose some twenty- 
five feet into the air. 

Peter groaned audibly. That old fox mean as 
debbil. Know that place no good. No hollow tlee, 
only brush and thick branch. Pox get under loot, and 
eat, watch twenty way at once : well, I try, any way.’’ 

Ben and La Salle hastily passed around the woods 
surrounding the glade, until they reached the opposite 
side of the motte to that which Peter was now enter- 
ing. Noticing that only a narrow space of open 
ground intervened at one point, Davies crept noise- 
lessly down to the very edge of the underbrush, about 
sixty yards from La Salle. 

He had scarcely drawn himself up from his crouch- 
ing position, when a magnificent black fox crossed the 
opening almost at his very feet, followed by the light 
axe of the Indian, which, thrown with astonishing 
force and precision, passed just above the animal, and 
was buried almost to the helve in a small tree not a 
yard from Davies’s head. 

Flurried out of his usual good judgment, Ben drew 


60 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


both triggers, with uncertain aim, and the fox, swerv* 
ing a little, passed him like a shot. La Salle, springing 
forward through the narrow belt of woods, saw the 
frightened animal a score of rods off, making across 
the fields for the Western Bar. A fence bounded the 
field some six score yards away, under which the fox 
must pass, and whose top rail, scarce three feet above 
the level, marked the necessary elevation to allow for 
the drop of the tiny missiles used. La Salle felt 
that all depended on his aim, and that his nerves were 
at the utmost tension of excited interest ; but he forced 
himself to act with deliberate promptitude at a mo- 
ment when the most feverish haste would have seemed 
interminable dallying. Steadily the ponderous tube 
was levelled in line of the fleeing beast, until the 
beaded sight rested on the top rail above him. An 
instant the heavy weapon seemed absolutely without 
motion; then the report crashed through the forest, 
and the snow-crust was dashed into impalpable powder 
by a hundred riddling pellets. 

The shot was fired just as the fox sprang up the 
slight embankment on which, as is usual, the line of 
fence was placed. For an instant he seemed to falter, 
then leaped the top rail, and disappeared beyond the 
enclosure. 

Peter and Davies had seen the shot, and with La 
Salle rushed forward to note its effect, although 
neither hoped for more than a wound whose bleeding 
would ultimately disable him, when patient tracking 


A FOX HUNT. 


61 


would secure his much-prized fur. As they ran to 
the fence they noted the deeply-cut scores in the icy 
crust which marked the first dropping shot, and Peter 
became loud in his praises of the weapon. 

I never see gun like that ; at hundred yards you 
kill him, sure ; but no gun ever kill so far as you 
fire. See there, shot strike dis stump. Hah ! there 
spot of blood on bank. Damn ! here fox dead, sure 
enough.^^ 

Hurrah ! the Baby forever for a long shot. Char- 
ley, old boy, shake hands on it. Peter, don^t you wish 
you hadn’t been so sure of killing him without our 
help ? ” 

The thoughtless triumph of the young Englishman 
recalled the memory of his obstinate refusal to accept 
the proffered aid of the sportsmen to the mind of the 
poor Indian. Such a look of utter disappointment took 
the place of his joy at the successful shot, that La 
Salle could scarcely contain his sympathy. 

So it is always. White man win, Indian lose ; 
white man get food, Indian starve ; white man live, 
Indian die. Once, all this Indian land. No white 
people were here, and many Indians hunt and find 
enough. Now, the Indian must buy the wood which 
he makes into baskets. He cannot spear a salmon in 
the rivers. The woods are cut down, and the many 
ships and guns frighten oft* the game.” 

He looked a moment at the dead fox, smoothed its 
glossy fur with a hand that trembled with suppressed 


62 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


emotion, and then, with a curt good evening/' 
turned to go. 

I wish, Peter, you would come down to the house 
and skin this beast for me,^^ said La Salle. If you 
will do so carefully, and stretch it for drying in good 
style. 111 give you a pair of boots.^^ 

Without a word the Indian seized the dead animal 
and strode ahead of them, like one who seeks in 
bodily fatigue a refuge from anguish of spirit. 

What will you give for such a skin, Davies ? 
asked La Salle. 

I will give you one hundred and fifty dollars for 
that one. It is the largest, finest, and blackest that I 
ever saw.’^ 

You have another gun like your own in your store 
at C. — have you not ? 

^^Yes, exactly like my own. I can only tell them 
apart by this curl in the wood of the stock.’^ 

What is she worth ? 

I will sell her to you for fifteen pounds.’^ 

That would be fifty dollars. Well, Ben, 111 tell 
you what, we must give Peter one half of the fox. I 
should never forgive myself if we didnT. I know 
he has been sick all summer, and his disappointment 
must be very hard to bear. Are you willing to give 
him half? 

Do just as you please, Charley,’^ said the warm- 
hearted hunter. I donT claim any share, for we are 
all on our own hook, unless by special agreement ; but 


A FOX HUNT, 


63 


I shall be very glad if you are kind enough to share 
with him, poor fellow ! 

Well, Ben, you are to take the fox at your own 
price, giving Peter an order on your partner for the 
gun, and credit to the amount of twenty-five dollars 
more. The other seventy-five we divide. You have 
only to give me credit for my moiety, as I owe you 
nearly that amount.’^ 

I’m satisfied if you are ; so let us hurry up, and 
see Peter prepare the skin, and send him home 
happy.” 

The finest skin I ever saw,” said Risk. It’s 
worth three hundred dollars in St. Petersburg, if it’s 
worth a cent.” 

Who killed him ? ” said the elder Davies. If 
you did, Ben, I’d like to buy the skin.” 

I bought it myself of La Salle for one hundred 
and fifty. He killed it, and sold it to me. I guess I 
can sell to good advantage.” 

In the mean time Peter had drawn his waghon^ or 
curved Indian knife, from his belt, and, carefully com- 
mencing at the rear of the body, skinned the animal 
without forming another aperture, removing the mask, 
and ears attached, with great nicety. With equal 
dexterity he whittled a piece of pine board to the 
proper shape, and, turning the skin inside out, drew 
it tightly over the batten, fastening it in place with a 
few tacks. His task completed, he handed it to La 


64 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Salle, and rose to go. The latter restrained him, 
saying, — 

Hold, Peter ; you must have your pay first. Here 
is a pair of rubber boots and some dry stockings. 
Put them on, and throw away those old moccasons, 
and take these few things to your wife.^^ 

You very kind, brother,’’ said Peter, simply, tak- 
ing the small bundle of tea, sugar, bread, cake, and 
jellies which could be spared from their limited 
stock of small stores.” 

And, Peter,” continued La Salle, Ben and I have 
concluded to share with you in the matter of the fox. 
We have no wives yet, and therefore think about one 
half the price ought to go to you. This paper will 
get you that double-barrel of Ben’s father to-morrow, 
if you feel like going over for it ; and you will also be 
allowed to purchase twenty-five dollars’ worth more 
of ammunition, food, and clothing.” 

The tears came into the poor fellow’s eyes. 

Damn ! I know you hite men. I know you 
heretic. I say I no hunt with you. I try cheat you 
on the trail, and you make Peter cly like squaw. I 
wish — I wish — you two, tlee, six fathom deep in 
river. I jump in for you if I die.” 

And, seizing the bundle and the precious order, he 
dashed the moisture from his eyes, and took the road 
homeward. 

He will never repay your kindness,” said Lund. 
^^Them Indians is never grateful for anything.” 


A FOX HUNT, 


65 


I think he will repay it, if it is ever in his power/^ 
said Risk. Peter is one of the most honest and 
industrious of his tribe, and it is not his fault when 
his children want food.^^ 

^^Well, boys,^’ said the elder Davies, I suppose 
you have done right, and that you will receive as 
much gratitude as we give to our heavenly Father ; 
but, as men look at things, you have, indeed, ^ cast 
your bread upon the waters.^ 

^^If it is so, Mr. Davies,’^ said La Salle, with a 
solemnity unusual with him, our reward is sure ; 
for the promise is, ^ Thou shall find it after many 
days.^ 

But,’^ said Lund, with a quiet twinkle in his sharp 
gray eye, I^d like to bet five shillin^ that, when you 
are repaid, it wonT be in Indian bread. 

Pretty good ! laughed Kennedy, who had taken 
the day to finish up a large pile of back numbers ” 
of his favorite daily, but I think hardly just to the 
Indians. Horace Greeley has given a great deal of 
thought to this Indian question, and although he 
would disapprove of supplying them with arms and 
ammunition, yet in all other matters would indorse 
your policy.^’ 

You donT mean to say that Greeley would disap- 
prove of letting poor Peter have a gun to shoot game 
to help support his family — do you?^^ asked Ben, in 
astonishment. 

Certainly I do. With that fifty dollars, he could 

5 


66 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


have procured tools and seed, and started a farm on 
Indian Island. Instead of that, you give him the 
means of continuing a savage, instead of encour- 
aging him to become a farmer and a civilized being. 
Horace Greeley would have tried — 

To attempt an impossibility,^^ said La Salle, ex- 
citedly. As well may you expect to raise a draught 
horse from a pair of racers, or keep a flock of eagles 
as you would a coop of hens. The French have been 
the only people on this continent with an Indian 
policy founded in reason, and a just estimate of the 
'character and capabilities of the aborigines.’^ 

And yet they were completely driven from this 
continent,” said Kennedy. 

True, sir ; but their Indian policy made their 
scanty population of two hundred thousand Euro- 
peans a dreaded foe to the nearly three million colo- 
nists of English descent. They made of their savage 
allies an arm that struck secretly, swiftly, and with 
terrible effect, and a defence that kept actual hostil- 
ities a long distance from their main settlements. I 
believe, sir, that the philosophers of the future will 
condemn alike our policy of extermination, and the 
impossible attempt to mould hunters, warriors, and 
absolutely free men, into peaceful, plodding citizens 
of a republic.” 

What else can be done with them ? ” asked Ken- 
)edy, sharply. 

It seems to me that in generations to come, it will 


A FOX HUNT, 


67 


be said of us, ^ They did not try in those days to yoke 
the racer to the plough, nor to chain the hound to the 
kennel, while they urged the mastiff on the track of 
the deer; yet they failed to see that the Creator, 
and peculiar conditions unchanged for centuries, had 
moulded the races of men to different forms of gov- 
ernment, modes of life, and varieties of avocation. 
The Roman conqueror of the world knew better than 
to put in his heavily-armed legions the flying Par- 
thian, the light-armed horseman of Numidia, or the 
slinger of the Balearic Isles. The American of the 
past had at his disposal a race capable of being the 
skirmish line of his march of civilization to wrest a 
continent from the wilderness. As trappers, hunters, 
and guides ; as fishermen and slayers of whale and 
seal ; as the light horseman, quick, brave, self-sustain- 
ing, and self-reliant, the Indian was capable of valu- 
able services to a people who offered him but two 
alternatives — extinction, or a dull, plodding, vegeta- 
tive, unnatural existence.^ 

Well, La Salle, if you two Yankees can let your 
argument rest a little, well go down to the shore, to 
take a look at the ice, and see what to-morrow has in 
store for us,^^ said Risk ; and, as it was nearly sun- 
down, the party hastened down to a part of the bank 
clear of trees, from whence they could discern the 
bay and the surrounding shores. 

The rain was falling in gentle and melting showers ; 
the south wind; laden with penetrating warmth, borne 


68 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


from lands hundreds of leagues distant, cut down 
drift and ice-hill with its fatal kisses ; from the rocky 
cliff a thousand tiny cascades wept and plashed ; and 
over the icy bonds of every brook and river another 
stream ran swiftly to the sea. Over the icy levels of 
harbor and bay rippled another sheet of fresh water, 
which each moment grew deeper and wider as the 
warm rain fell more heavily, and the withering south 
wind came in increasing strength. 

If this lasts all night, boys,^^ said Lund, oracularly, 
it will open the spring-holes and oyster-beds, and 
give the geese, which are sure to come with this 
wind, a certain amount of feeding-grounds which are 
not likely to be frozen up this winter. Come,^’ con- 
tinued he, turning away ; the geese will be getting 
cold, and we want to have time to hear a good yarn 
before we go to bed.^^ 

^^It’s your turn to-night, Mr. Risk,^^ said Ben; ^^and 
we must have a story as different as possible from the 
last. You know all about the old notables of the 
country, who used to own thousands of acres, and 
keep horses and servants as they do on large manors 
in the old country. Tell us a story about some of 
that set, as you used to tell father and uncle Dan, 
down at Morell.^^ 

I won’t try to back out, gentlemen,” said Risk, 
laying aside his meerschaum; for the sooner I tell 
my story the better, as you will ^ have it over with,’ 
and hear a great many good stories before it becomes 
my turn to bore you again. My story is about 


ANTHONY WORRELLS DOG. 


69 


Old Anthony Worrell and his Newfoundland 
Dog. 

my young days, a number of the immediate 
heirs of the original proprietors were resident here ; 
and among them this Major Worrell, whose estate has 
since been purchased by the government. He was a 
little, nervous, black-haired bachelor, who shared his 
chamber with a favorite black Newfoundland re- 
triever, named Carlo. 

One or two domestics did the housework, and 
helped the farm-hands in haying, harvest, and potato- 
digging; and over all presided Mrs. Sims, a tall, 
stout, and resolute widow, with a heavy hand and a 
shrewish temper. With a huge bunch of keys at her 
side, and an eye quick to detect the smallest waste 
and the slightest irregularity, she kept the houseliold 
in terror, and her master (poor little man !) in almost 
abject vassalage. A specimen of one of their daily 
breakfast dialogues may be worthy of reproduction. 

She. ^ Good mornin,’ sir. ^Ope youhe well this 
morning.' 

He. ^ Yes — quite well. Breakfast ready, eh ? ' 

She. ‘ Almost. Heggs just boiling when I came 
in. That Gillbear (Gilbert, a little, French orphan) 
sucks heggs, hi'm sure. Hi wonder you keep hm hon 
the place.' 

He. ^ Well, you know, Mrs. Sims, he's an orphan, 
and — ' 


70 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


She. ^ Well, hi like that. Han horphan ! hand ’is 
father lives hup hin has good a farm has there his 
hin Tracadie.^ 

He. ^Well, his father Gilbert died, and Lisette, 
his mother, married Frangois : and then Lisette, his 
mother, died, and Prangois married his cousin Chris- 
tine ; and then Frangois died, and Christine married 
Jacques the blacksmith ; and so he hasn’t any father 
or mother, and no home, and I let him stay here.^ 

She. ^ Yes, hand you’d ’ave the place heaten hup 
with lazy, dirty, thieving beggars hif hit wasn’t for 
me. Hi told your brother when ’e sent me hover. 
Says ’e, My brother his too heasy, han’ needs some 
un to see that ’e hisn’t himposed hupon.” Says hi, 
“Wen hi’m hunable to do my duty, hi’ve honly to 
return ’ome to Hingland.” Wich hi’ve just ’ad a 
letter from my sister ; han’ hif hi must slave for sich, 
hi’d rather give warnin’ for to-morrow come four 
weeks.’ 

“ He (nervously). ^ Why, my dear Mrs. Sims — ’ 

“ She. ^ Yes, sir ; hand that dratted dog Caiio, hev- 
ery mornin’, when hi goes to hair your sheets, gives 
me ha start with growlin’ hat me from hunder the 
bed-clothes, wich ’e wraps ’isself hup hin hevery 
mornin’, sir, like has hif ’e were a Christian. Now, 
sir, hi’m ready to slave hand wear myself hout for 
you, but has for slavin’ for a dirty cur and a French 
brat, hi’ve no need to, han’ hi won’t.’ 

“£e. ^Well, well, Mrs. Sims, we’ll see what can 


ANTHONY WORRELLS DOG, 


71 


be done — what can be done. Ill get a chain for 
Gilbert, and send the dog away. No, I mean 111 — 
No, 111 — Confound it, madam, let's have breakfast.^ 
On the same afternoon Mr. Grahame, the nearest 
magistrate, called on business, and to him Worrell re- 
lated his domestic troubles. 

^ I can^t do without her, for she is a splendid cook, 
and keeps my clothes in first-rate order. I can’t bear 
the thought of the cookery I should have to eat, and 
the dirt and disorder I should see around me, if she 
does go away. But she’s a regular Tartar, and I’ve 
no authority at all in my house.’ 

^ Well, Worrell, it’s a hard case ; but I would chain 
up that dog. As to poor little Gilbert, do what you 
think is right in spite of her. If she leaves — Ah, 
I have it. Go into town, and propose to one of the 
F. sisters. They are all good cooks and amiable wo- 
men, and you’ll be rid of your Tartar.’ 

“ ^ Wich I’m much hobleeged to you for the name, 
an’ the good advice you give the master, stirrin’ hov 
’im hup against a lone, friendless widow, wat’s slaved 
an’ worked this six years come St. Michaelmas.’ 

Mr. Grahame, of course, with the mauvais honte 
which men too generally display towards angry and 
unreasonable women, took an awkward leave of the 
angry widow, and poor Worrell, whom she treated to 
a lecture of half an hour, ending with a lively fit of 
tears and hysterics. As the poor little man turned 
away, leaving her in the hands of a servant, he caught 
her last broken objurgations. 


72 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


^ An hungratefiil fool, marry an^ turn me hoflf ; ugh, 
ugh ! fix hm, hany ^ow/ 

The following morning Worrell rose early, and 
passing through the breakfast-room, received a sulky 
greeting from his housekeeper, and went out to over- 
look the labors of his men. Feeling a little unwell, 
he returned to his room, and finding his dog in his 
bed, flung him into a spare room, and getting into 
bed, went to sleep. Now, both dog and master had 
a very unhealthy habit — that of keeping the head 
covered with bed-clothes ; and so it happened that 
when Mrs. Sims entered the room, she saw, as she 
supposed, the black ears and head of the hated Carlo. 

Revenge urged her to undue and overhasty pun- 
ishment; her overoharged feelings sought relief on 
some object, and a stout-handled broom was in her 
grasp. At last vengeance was within her reach ; should 
she relinquish it ? No, a thousand times no ! 

^^^You dirty brute F she yelled, in fury. ^ You 
hold rascal. 111 pay you out ! I’ll murder you ! I’ll 
kill you ! ’ 

Such was the preface of a shower of blows, which 
suddenly broke the rest of the defenceless Worrell. 
Half stunned, astounded, almost paralyzed, he heard, 
as if in a terrible dream, the threats which accom- 
panied the merciless blows of the assailant. 

^ I’ve got you ! Sleep again, will you ? I’ll kill 
you, you hold fool ! I’ll murder — Good Lord ! hit’s 
my master ; ’ and as a bruised and bloody face, sur- 


ANTHONY WORRELLS DOG. 73 

mounting a meagre figure, in remarkably scanty 
drapery, vanished out of the room, Mrs. Sims drew 
a long breath, and fainted in real earnest in one 
corner. 

u Worrell never stopped until he reached Grahame’s, 
who rather hastily caught up a shawl, and wrapping 
him in it, got him to his chamber, and into a suit of 
his own clothes, only about twice too large, for Gra 
hame was one of the tallest men in the county. 

When he had composed himself sufficiently, a com 
plaint was duly entered against Mrs. Sims for ^ assaul 
with intent to kill ; ^ and Mrs. Sims, despite her piteou , 
entreaties, was arrested and brought before the magi; . 
trate. Her appeals for mercy were heart-rending. 

^ Ho, mercy, your washup ; mercy, Mr. WorrelJ. 
Wich I thinks hit were that dratted dorg. Don^t 
^ang me. I never hintended — ^ But Worrell was 
inexorable. 

^ But you said you would kill me, you would mur- 
der me, and you nearly did murder me.^ 

^ Wich I told your brother — ugh, ugh ! an^ I’ve 
slaved, an’, ugh, ugh ! an’ wich it were all a mistake 
— ugh, ugh ! ’ave mercy, gentlemen.’ 

^ But you said you would murder me, and you 
nearly did murder me, and — ’ 

^ Peace, Mr. Worrell,’ said Grahame, impressively ; 

^ the hour of your redemption draweth nigh. Prisoner 
at the bar,’ continued he, ^ the crime which you have 
committed has always been held in just aversion and 


74 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


horror by the English nation. Eepaying the trust and 
confidence of your master with unkind persecution 
and a shrewish tongue, you have finished the measure 
of your misdeeds by what might have proved a most 
brutal murder. Your unsupported statement, that 
you mistook Mr. Worrell for his dog, would have 
little or no weight on any unprejudiced jury. We, 
however, incline to mercy ; and I therefore bind you 
over, in the sum of one thousand pounds, to keep the 
peace for six months.^ 

“ ^ Wherever can I find so much money ? ^ asked the 
despairing prisoner. 

^ On condition that you will leave for England, I 
will find bail for you. Understand, however, that 
they will give you up, should you fail to depart at 
the earliest opportunity.^ 

Poor Mrs. Sims went in the next ship ^ bound 
home ; ^ but the story got abroad at once, and Wor- 
rell never married. Great amusement, of course, was 
created by the recital, and it became a favorite of the 
members of the bar on circuit, who, however, gener- 
ally expressed one regret, viz., ^ that Worrell escaped 
alive, as the world thereby lost a most remarkable 
criminal case.^ 

Well, thaPs all there is of it; and as iPs nine 
o’clock, and we want to be up early, I think I’ll con- 
clude by bidding you all ^ good night, and pleasant 
dreams.’ ” 


THE GRAND FLIGHT 


75 


CHAPTER lY. 

THE GRAND FLIGHT. — A GOOD STRATAGEM.— 
THE PACKET LIGHT. 

T sunrise the next morning, the sports- 
men hurried through their frugal meal, 
and hastened to their various ice- 
houses ; for a great change had taken 
place in the weather, which, although 
the rain had ceased and the sky had cleared some- 
what, was still mild and spring-like. Even as they 
lit their cigars at the door, they heard far up the 
cove the calls of the wild geese, and a scattering 
volley which told that the Indians had been early 
at their posts. Above the others arose two heavy 
reports, which Davies declared could come from 
no other gun than Peter^s newly-acquired double- 
barrel. 

With hastened steps the East Bar party took the 
ice. La Salle drawing behind him a long taboggin,^^ 
or Indian sled, consisting merely of a long, wide, half- 
inch board, turned up at one end, and forming, in fact, 
a single broad runner, which cannot upset, and will 



76 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


bear a heavy load over the lightest snow without 
sinking too deeply. On it were placed, besides his 
own gun and that of Kennedy, a heavy target rifle, 
a large lunch-box, and an ample bucket containing 
ammunition. 

You mean to ^lay them out^ to-day, I guess, 
Charley,” said Creamer, good-humoredly. You ain’t 
apt to want ammunition, any way.” 

What will you take for to-day’s bag, cash down? ” 
asked Ben, laughing. 

Here are our decoys,” said La Salle, pointing to 
several dark objects partially imbedded in the ice, but 
marking an almost perfect straight line from the boat 
to the inner shore of the island. 

We had a rather narrow escape,” remarked Ken- 
nedy, picking up one of the decoys; and it was well 
thought of to secure a retreat to our boat, in case we 
had failed to reach the shore.” 

Little tinie, however, was lost in conversation. The 
boat ” and box ” were to be cleared of the snow 
which had drifted inside, and concealed by fragments 
of ice, in place of those which the rain had melted 
away. The decoys were to be rearranged, heading 
to windward, and at least half an hour was con- 
sumed in making these necessary arrangements. At 
last all was ready, the guns, ammunition, &c., were 
placed in the boat, and La Salle had gone to hide the 
sledge behind a neighboring hummock, when, turning 
his head, he saw Davies and Creamer running hastily 


THE GRAND FLIGHT 


77 


to their box, and Kennedy frantically gesticulating 
and calling on him to do the same. 

With the best speed he could make on such 
slippery footing, La Salle crossed the intervening 
space, and threw himself down into the boat, pant- 
ing and breathless with exertion. After a mo- 
ment’s breathing space, he slowly raised his head so 
that his eyes could just see over the edge of the 
shooting-boat. To the east he heard the decoy-calls 
of Creamer and Davies, and, somewhere between him- 
self and them, the low, questioning calls of the wished- 
for geese. 

They are near us somewhere, Kennedy,” he whis- 
pered, and, I guess, coming in to our decoys. Don’t 
fire until I tell you. Here they come. No, they sheer 
off. Yes, there’s one scaling down; there’s another. 
They’re all coming. We’ve got them now.” 

The goose is far from being the silly fowl which 
popular belief supposes him to be, even when tamed 
and subdued, and, in a state of nature, is one of the 
most wary of birds. The flock in question, flying in 
from the narrow, open channels of the Gulf, had seen 
the decoys, and heard the calls of Ben and Creamer, 
who had not yet completed their preparations. Swoop- 
ing around the box at a safe distance, the wary leader 
decided that all was not right there, and swung over 
the leading decoys of La Salle, and doubtless wonder- 
ing at the apathy of the strange geese which refused 
to answer his calls, gave a signal which caused his 


78 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


flock to describe a circle around the boat, full forty 
rods away. Still nothing could be seen which could 
warrant a well-founded suspicion ; and one or two of 
the younger birds, impatient of restraint, and anxious 
for rest and food, set their broad pinions, and, with 
outstretched wings, scaled down to the decoys, 
alighting on the ice not twenty feet from the muzzles 
of the concealed guns. Their apparent safety de- 
cided the rest, and in twenty seconds as many geese, 
with clamorous cries, were hovering over the heads 
of La Salle and his companions. 

It takes a quick eye, steady hand, and good judg- 
ment, to kill a partridge in November, when, witli a 
rush of wings like an embryo whirlwind, he gets up 
under your feet, and brushes the dew from the under- 
brush with his whizzing wings. It is not every ama- 
teur that can kill woodcock in close cover, or well- 
grown snipe on a windy day ; but there are few, who 
can do these things, who can kill with both barrels in 
their first goose-shooting. The size and number of 
the birds, the wary and cautious manner of their ap- 
proach, the nice modulations necessary to call ” them 
successfully, and the reckless sweep with which they 
seem to throw aside all fear, and rush into the very 
jaws of death, — all these combine to unsettle the 
nerves and aim of the novice. 

All this Kennedy experienced, as he saw above him 
twenty outstretched necks, with jetty heads, whose 
eyes he felt must discern the ambush ; twenty snowy 


THE GRAND FLIGHT. 


79 


bellies, against which as many pairs of black, broad, 
webbed feet showed with beautiful effect, and forty 
broad pinions, which seemed to shut out the sky from 
view, and present a mark which no one could fail to hit. 
At the word he pointed his heavy gun at the centre of 
the thickest part of the flock and fired. At the first 
barrel a dead bird fell almost into the boat ; but the sec- 
ond seemed without efi'ect. La Salle lined four as 
they flapped their huge wings hurriedly, striving to 
flee from the hidden danger, killing three and break- 
ing the wing of a fourth, who fluttered down to the 
ice, and began to run, or, rather, to waddle rapidly 
away. 

Kennedy seemed about to go after the wounded 
bird, but La Salle laid his hand on his arm. 

Don’t move, Kennedy, and he will get us another 
bird,” said he, reloading his heavy gun with a long- 
range shot cartridge. We can get that bird any 
time ; and there is his mate flying round and round in 
a circle.” 

You won’t get a shot at her,” said Kennedy, as 
she warily kept out of ordinary range, and finally 
alighted near the gander, which, weak with pain and 
loss of blood, had lain down on the ice about one hun- 
dred and fifty yards distant. 

I should not despair of killing her with Hhe Baby,’ 
charged as she now is, even at a far greater distance ; 
but I have a surer weapon for such a mark in this 
target-rifle.” 


80 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


As he spoke, he drew from under the half-deck of 
the boat a heavy sporting-rifle, carrying about sixty 
balls to the pound, and sighted with globe or 
peep sights. Taking a polished gauge which 
hung at his watch-chain, he set the rear sight, and, 
cocking the piece, set the hair-trigger. Noiselessly 
raising the muzzle above the gunwale, he ran his eye 
along the sights. A whip-like crack echoed across 
the ice, and the goose, pierced through the lower part 
of the neck, fell dead by the side of her wounded 
mate, which, frightened by the report, hastened to 
increase the distance between him and such a dan- 
gerous neighborhood. 

111 save you a half-mile run, Kennedy,'^ said La 
Salle, raising the Baby to his face. 

The wounded bird suddenly paused, drew himself 
up to his full height, and spread his wings, or rather 
his uninjured pinion. The huge gun roared. The 
closely-packed mitraille tore the icy crust into pow- 
der, fifty yards beyond the doomed bird, which set- 
tled, throbbing with a mortal tremor, upon the ice, shot 
through the head. 

That was a splendid shot of yours, La Salle,'’ said 
Kennedy, in amazement. 

You are wrong in that statement, Kennedy,” 
replied he. The shot any one could have made, but 
the reach of that gun, with Eley’s cartridge, is some- 
thing tremendous. When I first had her I fired at 
a flock at about four hundred yards distance. Of 


THE GRAND FLIGHT 


81 


course I killed none, but I paced three hundred and 
twenty-five yards, and found clean-cut scores, four 
and five inches long, in the crust, at that distance ; and 
I have more than once killed brant geese out of a 
fiock at forty rods/^ 

Look, Charley I What a sight I interrupted Ken- 
nedy. The sky had cleared, the sun shone brightly, 
the wind had gone down, and the strange stillness of a 
calm winter’s day was unbroken. From the west 
high above the reach of the heaviest gun, and almost 
beyond the carry of the rifle, came the long-expected 
vanguard of the migrating hosts of heaven. Flock 
upon flock, each in the wedge-shaped phalanx of two 
converging lines, which ever characterize the flight 
of these birds, each headed by a wary, powerful 
leader, whose clarion call came shrill and clear down 
through the still ether, came in one common line of 
flight, hundreds and thousands of geese. , All that 
afternoon their passage was incessant, but no open 
pool offered rest and food to that weary host, and in 
that fine, still atmosphere it was useless to attempt to 
deceive by crude imitations of the calls of these birds. 
And so, as the leaders of the migratory host saw from 
their lofty altitude the earth below, for many a league, 
spread out like a map, from which to choose a halting- 
place, the marksmen of the icy levels had little but 
the interest of the unusual spectacle for their after- 
noon’s watching. Now and then, in answer to their 
repeated calls, a single goose would detach itself from 
6 


82 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


the flock and scale down through the air, as if to 
alight, but nearly always would repent in time, and 
with quickened pinions return to its companions. 
Still, occasionally, one would determine to alight, and 
setting its wings, circle around one of the stands, and 
Anally be seen, by the occupants of other ice-houses, 
to sweep close in to the concealed ambush. Then 
would follow a puff or two of smoke, a few distant 
reports, and the dead bird, held up in triumph, would 
convey to his distant friends the sportsman^s for- 
tune. 

Several birds fell in this way to the lot of our 
friends of the East Bar, and La Salle and Kennedy got 
one each ; but the sport was too tedious, and La Salle, 
taking a bullet-bag and powder-flask from his box, 
proceeded to count out ten bullets, which he laid 
carefully before him. 

I am going to try to bring down at least one 
goose from those flocks which pass over us nearly 
every moment. They are certainly four hundred 
yards high, and I shall aim at the leader of the flock 
in every case, giving him about ten feet allowance 
for headway. 

The flrst ball was without effect, although the 
leader swerved like a frightened steed as the deadly 
missile siing past him. The second cut a feather 
from the tail of the bird aimed at ; and the third 
failed likewise. At the fourth shot the leader 
swerved as before, and then kept on his way. 


A GOOD STRATAGEM. 


83 


“ You might as well try to kill them a mile off, as 
at that distance/’ said Kennedy, disparagingly. 

I hit a bird in that flock, and I think the leader, at 
that ; for I heard the rap of the ball as it struck. It 
may have been only through his quill-feathers. No ; 
there’s the bird I hit. See, he can’t keep up with the 
flock.” 

The huge gander last fired at had hardly gone a 
hundred yards, ere, despite his endeavors, he had 
lowered several feet below the flock. In the next 
decade, the distance was increased to sixty feet, and 
in the third to as many yards. In the last hundred 
yards of his flight he sank rapidly, although strug- 
gling nobly to regain the flock ; and when -about fifty 
yards above the ice, he towered up a few feet into 
the air, and fell over backward, stone dead, with a 
rifle-shot transflxing his body, in the region of the 
heart. On weighing him he turned the scale at fifteen 
pounds. 

Of the remaining six shots but one was effective — - 
breaking the wing-tip of a young female, which was 
secured for a live decoy. 

Kennedy now proposed a plan for approaching a 
large flock, which had alighted about a half mile dis- 
tant on the sea-ice. Taking the taboggin, which 
was painted white, from its , concealment, he tied to 
its curved front a thin slab of snowy ice, and laying 
his gun behind it, approached the flock as near as 
possible, under cover of the hummocks. About three 


84 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


hundred yards of level ice still intervened, and lying 
down behind his snow-screen, he slowly moved his 
ingenious stalking-horse towards the flock. Had he 
understood the nature of the birds thoroughly, it is 
probable that his device would have succeeded splen- 
didly ; but when he was still about a hundred yards 
distant, the wary leader became suspicious, and gave 
a note of alarm. In an instant the whole flock, with 
outstretched necks, stood prepared for flight. Had 
he lain still, it is probable that the birds would have 
relaxed their suspicious watchfulness, and allowed 
him to get nearer ; but thinking that he should lose 
all if he tried a nearer approach, he fired, killing one 
and wounding another, both of which were secured. 

Just before dark a slight wind sprang up, and a 
few flocks, flying low about the harbor, came in among 
the decoys, and for a time the fire was quite heavy, 
and the sport most exciting. Taken all round, this 
day was the best of the season. Ben and Creamer 
received fifteen. La Salle and Kennedy twelve, and 
Davies and Risk eighteen birds — in all, forty-five 
geese. On arriving home they found a hearty supper 
awaiting their attention, after a due observance had 
been paid to the rites of the toilet. This observance 
seemed to demand much more time than ever before, 
to the great amusement of Lund, who had anticipated 
as much all day. 

Are all you folks going sparkin^, that you are so 
careful of your complexions ? Goodness ! why, you’ve 


85 


A GOOD STRATAGEM. 

more pomatums, oils, and soaps than any court 
beauty ! 

There was some truth in this latter charge, for Ben 
and Creamer, after washing and a very gingerly use 
of the towel, anointed their flaming visages with 
almond oil. Kennedy, in his turn, approached the 
only mirror the house afforded, and applied to his 
blistered nose and excoriated cheeks the major part 
of a box of Holloway’s Ointment ; and even La Salle’s 
dark face seemed to have acquired its share of burning 
from the ice-reflected rays of the sun. Davies and 
Risk, when called to supper, smelled strongly of rose- 
scented cold- cream ; and Lund was unsparing in sar- 
castic remarks on the extreme floridness of com- 
plexion of the entire party. 

Ben, don’t have any powder lying round loose 
to-morrow, with such a face as that. As for Creamer, 
he can’t have any cotton sheets to-night, for fear of a 
conflagration. I don’t think I ever saw anybody burn 
as bad as Kennedy has ; and this is only the first day, 
too. A few days more like this would peel him down 
to an ’atomy. As to La Salle, he’s too black to take 
any more color, but Risk and Davies won’t dare to go 
home for a good two weeks at least.” 

In truth, the whole party had received a notable 
tanning, for the winter’s sun, weak as it is compared 
with its summer fervor, has never such an effect upon 
the exposed skin, as when its rays are reflected from 
the millions of tiny specula of the glistening ice-field. 


86 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


The free use of soothing and cooling ointments will 
prevent the blistering and tan, to a great extent ; but 
many on their first hunt lose the cuticle from the 
entire face ; and many a seal has been lost on the 
floes, owing to the rapid decomposition produced by 
the sun^s feeble rays thus intensified. 

Notwithstanding their “ tanning,^^ however, the 
party were in splendid spirits, and ate their roast 
goose, potatoes, and hot bread with a gusto which far 
more delicate viands at home would fail to provoke. 
As the meal proceeded, and the merry jest went 
round, all feelings of fatigue, pain, and discomfort 
were lost in the revulsion of comfort which a full meal 
produces in a man of thoroughly healthy physique. 
How few of us in the crowded cities know, or indeed 
can appreciate, the pleasures of the hardy sports- 
man. To bear wet, cold, and discomfort; to exercise 
patience, skill, and endurance ; and to undergo the 
extreme point of fatigue, was the sum of nearly every 
day^s experience of the members of the party ; but 
when their heavy guns and cumbrous clothing were 
laid aside, the rough chair and cushionless settle 
afibrded luxurious rest, the craving appetite made 
their coarse fare a delightsome feast, and when, warm, 
full-fed, and refreshed, they invoked the dreamy 
solace of the deity Nicotiana, the sense of animal pleas- 
ure and satisfaction was complete. 

Is your pipe filled. Creamer?’’ asked Lund, care- 
lessly. 


A GOOD STRATAGEM. 


87 


Yes ; but you’ll not get it until you give us the 
story you’re to tell us this night. Faith, there’s not 
one of us can beat you at the same trade, and it’s 
little of fact that you’ll give us, any how.” 

For shame, Hughie, to malign the credibility of 
an old friend in that way, and me the father of a 
family. I’m almost ready to swear that you shan’t 
have a yarn from me for the whole spring. To accuse 
me of yarning — me that — ” 

That humbugged the whole Associated Press of 
the United States no longer ago than the war with 
the southerns. I mind myself how you told them 
at Shediac, that the Alabama was down among the 
fishermen in the bay, like a hawk among a flock 
of pigeons. Faith, you had twenty of them taken and 
burned before you stopped that time, and the tele- 
graph operator at Point de Chene was hopping all 
the evening between the boat and the office, like a pea 
in a hot skillet,” retorted La Salle, laughing. An, 
Lund ! you mustn’t plead innocent with us, who have 
been humbugged by you too many times already. But 
come, captain, draw on your imagination, and give 
us a regular stunner — one without a word of truth 
in it.” 

^^Well, gentlemen,” answered Lund, deliberately, 
I ain’t got anything to say to that young jackanapes, 
for nobody that ever heard him tell stories will ever 
believe anything he says again. But I mean to have 
my reyenge somehow, and so I’ll tell you a story that 


88 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


is as true as gospel, and yet youll hardly believe a 
word of it. We who live here on this little island 
call it the story of 

The Packet Light. 

About thirty years ago, my wife’s father, old Mr. 
Bridges, lived in a snug little log house down in the 
next field, towards the Point. He was a young man 
then, and my wife here was a little girl, unable to do 
more than to drive home the cows, or help mind the 
younger children. The island is uncivilized enough 
now, sir, but in those days, besides the old French mili- 
tary road to St. Peter^s, and a government mail route to 
St. Eleanor’s, there was nothing but bridle-paths and 
rough trails through the woods. Men came to market 
with horses in straw harnesses, dragging carts with 
block- wheels sawn from the butt of a big pine ; and 
Dften when twenty or thirty of them were drinking 
into old Katty Frazers, the beasts would get hungry, 
and eat each other loose. 

It was next to an impossibility to get any money 
in exchange for produce or labor, and everything was 
paid for in orders on the different dealers for so many 
shillings’ or pounds’ worth of goods. In winter a 
whale-boat on runners carried the mail between the 
Wood Islands and Pictou, and in summer a small 
schooner, called the Packet, sailed with the mail, and 
wjiat few passengers presented themselves, between 
the capital and the same port. 


THE PACKET LIGHT 


89 


It was in the last of November that year that 
the Packet made her last cruise. The weather was 
freezing cold, with a thick sky, and heavy squalls 
from the south of west, when she struck on the East 
Bar, near the main channel. They put down the 
helm, thinking to slide off ; but she only swung broad- 
side to the waves, and as the tide was at ebb, she was 
soon hard and fast, with the sea making a clean breach 
over her. 

Captain CoflSn, with the four other men, got into 
the rigging with a flag of some kind, which they fas- 
tened at half mast, as a signal of distress. It was 
about midday when they ran on the bar, and Bridges 
saw them, and realized their danger at once ; and 
their cries for help at times rose above the roar of the 
ravenous seas. With the help of his wife he launched 
a light boat, but long before he got into the sweep of 
the heavier breakers, he saw that she could never live 
on the bar, and it was with great difficulty that he 
regained the shore. At nightfall, although the hull 
was badly shattered, no one had perished, and the 
tide had so far abated that the party could easily have 
waded ashore ; and Captain Coffin and another man, 
after vainly attempting to induce the other three to 
accompany them, started themselves. 

“ The others charged them with cowardice in leav- 
ing the vessel, said that the wind would go down, 
and they could get the craft off at flood-tide, and so 
prevailed over the better judgment of the captain and 


90 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


his companion that they returned to the fated vessel, 
and prepared, as well as possible, for the returning 
tide. 

As the tide rose, the sea came with little, if any, 
diminution of fury ; and until nearly midnight Bridges 
watched the signal lantern, which called in vain for 
the aid which it was not in the power of mail to be- 
stow. Intense cold was added to the other horrors 
of their situation, and the heavy seas came each hour 
in lessened fury, as the water thickened into ^ sludge.’ 
At eleven o’clock the tide was at its height; the seas 
had ceased to sweep across the hogged and sunken 
hull, and a sheet of thin ice reached from the shore to 
the vessel’s side. Captain Coffin tried the ice, and, 
finding that it would bear his weight, decided to try 
to reach the Blockhouse Light, which shone brightly 
three miles away. 

He summoned the others ; but two of the others, 
who had persuaded him to remain on board, were 
already frozen to death ; the third decided to make 
the attempt, but walked feebly and with uncertain 
steps, and about a mile from the vessel succumbed to 
the piercing cold, falling into that fatal sleep from 
which few ever waken, in this life at least. Coffin’s 
companion, a strong, hardy sailor, reached the light- 
house alive, but swooned away, and could not be re- 
suscitated ; and Coffin barely escaped with his life. 
He was terribly frost-bitten, but was thawed out in 
a puncheon of cold water, the right foot, however. 


THE PACKET LIGHT 


91 


dropping off at the ankle ; but he escaped with life, 
after terrible suffering. 

The schooner sank, in the spring, at the edge of 
the channel, when the moving ice forced her into deeper 
water ; and at very low tides her battered hull may still 
be seen by the passing boatman. But ever since that 
fatal night, whenever a storm from that quarter is 
threatened, a ball of fire is seen to emerge from the 
depths where lies the fated packet, and to sway and 
swing above the water, as the signal lantern did on 
the swaying mast of that doomed vessel. Then, if 
you but watch patiently, the ball is seen to expand 
into a sheet of crimson light, terribly and weirdly 
beautiful, until the eye can discern the shadowy outline 
of a ship, or rather schooner, of fire, with hull and 
masts, stays and sails ; and then the apparition again 
assumes the shape of a ball, which is lost in the sea. 

At times it appears twice or thrice in the same 
night, and often the herring-fisher, after setting his 
nets along the bar, sees behind his boat, as he nears the 
shore, the apparition of the ^ packet light.^ Since 
that night of wreck and death, no dweller on this 
island has passed a year without seeing it, and it is so 
common that its appearance awakens no fear; and 
among the fishers of Point Prime, and the farmers of 
the opposite shores, there are few who will not bear 
witness to the truth of my story.^’ 

It is a little singular,’^ said Risk, that a ship is 


92 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


the only inanimate object ever seen as an individual 
apparition. There are not many of these ghostlj^ 
ships on the seas^ however. I do not remember to 
have heard of more than one — that of the celebrated 
^ Flying Dutchman/ off the Cape of Good Hope.^^ 

IFs no wonder, sir/’ said Lund, warmly, that 
sailors suppose ships to be haunted, and also to be 
capable of becoming ghosts themselves, when you sit 
down and think how differently every one views a 
vessel, as compared with a house, or store, or engine. 
Why, there are no two ships alike, and two were never 
built just alike. There are lucky and unlucky ships, 
and ships that almost steer themselves, while others 
need a whole watch at the tiller in a dead calm. But 
I think that you are mistaken as to the ^ Flying 
Dutchman ’ being the only other ^ flyer,’ as the sailors 
call them, for they are often seen in the Pacific, in the 
^ Trades.’ ” 

I can’t swear to the truth of Mr. Lund’s story, but 
I can affirm that the ^ fire ship ’ is a myth, universally 
recognized among the sea-going population of our 
coast, from the Florida Keys to the mouth of the St. 
Lawrence. Off the coral reefs, the crime-accursed 
slaver or pirate haunts the scene of her terrible deeds. 
Amid the breakers of Block Island, the ship wrecked, 
a generation ago, by the cruel avarice of men long 
since dead, still revisits the fatal spot when the storm 
is again on the eve of breaking forth in resistless fury. 
The waters of Boston harbor, two centuries ago, pre- 


THE PACKET LIGHT. 


93 


sented to the wondering eyes of ^ divers sober and 
godly ^ persons, apparitions similar to those narrated 
by our veracious friend, the captain. The lumberers 
of the St. John tell, with bated breath, of an antique 
French caravel, which sails up the Carleton Falls, 
where no mortal vessel or steamer can follow. And 
the farmers and fishermen of Chester Bay still see the 
weird, unearthly beacon which marks the spot where 
the privateer Teaser, chased by an overwhelming 
English fleet, was hurled heavenward by the desperate 
act of one of her oflScers, who had broken his parole. 
As for the Gulf, the myth exists in a half dozen diverse 
forms, and all equally well authenticated by hun- 
dreds of eye-witnesses, if you can believe the nar- 
rators.’’ 

Well, La Salle, I see you don’t put much more 
faith in my story than in the thing I saw the night 
you came here. Now, I hope it won’t be so, for it is 
borne in my mind, and I can’t get over it, that I shall 
see some of you vanish into mist, as I saw those men. 
So, gentlemen, be very careful, for I fear that some of 
us are very near their fate.” 

There is a cord of fear in every man’s heart which 
throbs more or less responsively to the relation of the 
wonders of that debatable land,” which, by some, is 
believed to lie on the boundaries of another world.” 
La Salle felt impressed in spite of himself, and the 
whole party seenied grave and unwilling to pursue 


94 ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 

the subject. The silence was, however, broken by 
Kennedy. 

I am going home to-morrow, said he, and there- 
fore am not likely to be one of the unfortunates over 
whom a mysterious but melancholy fate impends. I 
have never found in the Tribune anything calculated 
to encourage a belief in ghosts of men, or vessels 
either ; and what Horace Greeley canT swallow I can’t. 
But I shall make minutes of this little matter, and if 
anything does happen, will forward a full account, in 
detail, to that truly great man. Come, La Salle ; it's 
time we were abed. Good night, gentlemen.” 



A MAD SPORTSMAN. 


95 


CHAPTER V. 

A MAD SPORTSMAN. — SNOW-BLIND. — A NIGHT 
OF PERIL. 

HE next morning shone bright and clear, 
and the gunners were at their posts in 
expectation of a good day^s sport. They 
looked in vain, however, for any indi- 
cations of open water, and a hole, sunk 
with the axe to the depth of eighteen 
inches, failed to reach salt water, although several lay- 
ers of sweet, fresh water were struck ; and the little 
hollow furnished them many draughts of an element 
nowhere more welcome than upon the spring ice. The 
sun shone brightly, their faces, still sore and feverish 
with yesterday^s exposure, became sorer than ever, 
and the neck became chafed wherever it rubbed 
against the coat collar. 

Still, these were minor evils amid the excitement of 
their occupation, for many flocks of wild geese were 
seen ; and the appearance of a flock, however remote, 
is always the signal for every gunner to get under 
cover at once. A small flock of seven were com- 



96 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


pletely destroyed that morning, in a manner that de- 
serves recording here. 

They were first seen striking in from the Gulf, and 
swinging well to leeward, — for the wind was westerly, 
— scaled in to the stand occupied by Davies and 
Creamer, who were lying down taking their noon 
lunch, and received no warning of their approach 
until they saw the fiock scaling over their heads. 
Seizing their guns, both fired as quickly as possible, 
Ben a little the first. His first barrel missed, but the 
second, aimed at the same bird, brought it down. 
Creamer^s first barrel went off in the act of cocking, 
in the hurry and agitation of the surprise ; and letting 
the muzzle of his gun drop, he stood stupidly gazing 
at the departing fiock, until roused by Davies’s Give 
them t’other barrel, any way.” Raising his gun, he 
fired instantly, and killed a fine gander, which fell 
dead a hundred and twelve yards from the stand. 

As if blinded by the unexpected danger, the re- 
maining five swung just inside of the ice-boat, where 
La Salle and his companion, who had seen them from 
the first, picked out a brace at long but practicable 
range, while the retreating birds flew up the channel 
towards Nine Mile Creek, where two more fell to Risk 
and the elder Davies. For over an hour the remain- 
ing bird flew with clamorous cries about the scene of 
his bereavement, until a stranger, who had erected an 
ice-house, and placed a few rude decoys a few hun- 


ME MY Guse, Mon, and dinna delay me.” Page 97 




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A MAD SPORTSMAN. 


97 


dred yards from the bar, called him down, and fired 
a shot which dropped him on the ice. 

He seemed to be little hurt, however ; for, getting 
to his feet, he walked rapidly away in the direction 
of the sea ice, followed by the stranger, who did not 
attempt to use the long gun which he carried with him 
even when the bird took wing and fiew heavily be- 
tween the ice-houses on the East Bar, where a long 
shot from La Sallees gun brought him down dead. 
La Salle brought in the bird, and while reloading his 
gun, the stranger came up and claimed it as his. 

He was a tall, lean, sharp-featured man, with long, 
lank hair, a dark complexion, and large lack-lustre 
eyes, imbedded in cavernous hollows. His gun was 
not loaded, nor did he wear either shot-bag or powder- 
horn ; and his weapon, an ancient Highland Scotch 
fusee ” changed to percussion, seemed as worn out 
and dilapidated as the owner. 

Gie me my guse, mon, and dinna delay me, for I 
hae much to do the day, and I munna be hindered in 
my mission,^^ was the strange salutation of the origi- 
nal, as he leaned upon his gun at the side of the boat. 

You are welcome to your goose, friend, although 
I fear that you would have had a long chase, if the 
Baby there had not put in her word in the matter. 
Here is your bird, sir ; and La Salle handed the body 
to the unknown, who, after examining it closely, sighed 
heavily, and replied, — 

7 


98 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


a braw bird, but it’s nae the king the 

geese.^^ 

The king of the geese, friend ? What do you 
mean ? ’’ said Kennedy, sharply. 

0, naething ; that is, naething to ye, sirs ; but to 
me, 0 yes, to me everything. Ah,^’ said he, plain- 
tively, how mony days hae I sat through storm, and 
frost, and sleet ! how mony nights hae I watched in 
the still moonlight, amang the reedy creeks ! how 
mony times I hae weized a slug through a bird a’maist 
amang the clouds ! but I hae had a^ my labor in vain, 
in vain.^^ 

But how do you know that you have not already 
shot the king of the geese ? said La Salle, anxious to 
investigate the peculiar monomania of this poor luna- 
tic; for such, indeed, he evidently was. 

Why, mon,^^ said he, evidently surprised at the 
absurdity of the question, by his croun, of course. 
The king has ae braw croun o^ white an black fedders, 
an^ I’se reckon ye^s never seen a guse like that ava^ — 
hae ye now ? he asked, anxiously. 

I have never seen any such bird,’^ said La Salle ; 
but why do you care so much about shooting this 
rare bird ? 

Weel, 111 tell ye, sin ye were kin’ till me, an’ did 
na keep the guse fra’ me. Ye must promise me that 
ye will na try to kill it wi’ your ain hands, for I must 
kill it mysel’,” 


A MAD SPORTSMAN. 


99 


We promise/’ said La Salle, encouragingly, while 
Kennedy gave a half-pitying nod of the head. 

Weel, when I was young I cared for naething but 
the gun, an’ mony a beating I got for wark negleckit, 
an’ schule-days wasted in the woods, or on the ice. 
As I grew older I cared more an’ more for huntin’, an’ 
although I killed mair than ony three in the settle- 
mant, I was never satisfied. Ance I sat here on a 
could day in April ; the ice had gane off the bar, but 
the flats were yet covered, and I knew that until the 
win’ changed the ice would not be carried off. 

Sae, as I sat an’ saw the breakers roolin’ in aff 
breakin’ an’ heavin’ the outer ice, I saw mony flecks 
pass under the lee of the Governor’s Island, an’ 
then I grew mad like, an’ swore an’ cursed at my ill 
luck. 

^ Ay, my lad, but you’re right ; ’ an’ turnin,’ I saw 
an’ ould man wi’ dark eyes an’ a coat of black furs 
stannin’ beside me. 

^ I’ve seen i’ the Bible,’ , said I, ‘ that man was 
gi’en dominion ower the beasts o’ the earth an’ the 
fowls o’ the air,” but I canna do as I’d wush wi’ thae 
cursed geese ower there.’ 

^^^Verra richt; ye’re verra richt, young man/ said 
he. ‘ What wud ye gie to be able to kill as mony 
fowl as ye list, an’ never miss ava ? ’ 

It seemed as I were mad at th’ thocht. ^ I’d gie 
my saul,’ said I. 

^ Well, hae your wish, laddie,’ said he ; ^ it’s a sma’ 

LOFc. 


100 ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 

penny fee for so dear a bargain ; ’ and, turnin^, I fand 
myseP alone, an^ not a saul upon the ice, far or near. 
Weel, that day I killed birds until I had nae mair 
pouther an’ grit-shot; an’ ilka day I went I had the 
like luck ; but my min’ was ill at ease, an’ I grew sad, 
an’ dared na gae to prayers, or the kirk ; for then hell 
seemed to yawn under me. At last they said I was 
mad, an’ I went awee tae th’ ’sylum yonder i’ th’ 
town, an’ then I gat some sleep ; an’ ane nicht I saw 
in a dream a woman a’ in white, an’ she laid her cool, 
moist han’ on my hot forehead, an’ tauld me she would 
save me yet. ^ It was th’ auld enemy that ye forgath- 
ered wi’ on th’ ice, an’ ye are his until ye can kill th’ 
king o’ th’ geese ; an’ then ye ken whaever carries his 
croun o’ black an’ white feathers can unnerstand th’ 
language o’ all fowl, an’, wha’ is more, call them to 
himsel’, sae that he canna’ fail to hae his wull o’ them. 
Then, laddie, ye wull hae earned yoursel’ th’ penny- 
fee for whilk ye hae perilled your saul. 

^ But,’ said she, ^ my ain bairn, when ye hae won 
the croun, use it na’ at all, though a’ the fiends fra’ 
hell tempted ye, but carry it to the kirkyard at mirk 
midnight ; an’ when ye hae cannily lichted a bit 
bleeze, burn the king’s croun, an’ say wha’ I shall tell 
ye. I gie back more than I hae taken, an’ I rest on 
Christ’ smercy ; ” an’ then shall ye be safe an’ happy 
if ye fail na’ to be constant in gude warks.’ 

Then, sirs, the vision faded, an’ I woke calmer 
an’ happier than for many a lang day ; an’ a few days 


A MAD SPORTSMAN. 


101 


after, they aye sent me hame, but the folk say Vve a 
bit bee in my bannet yet. But sin’ that time, I hae 
hunted a’ I can. I get mony birds, an’,’’ lowering his 
voice, yesterday I killed thretty-seven.” 

A long whistle from the astonished Kennedy broke 
up the conference, and the offended lunatic walked 
angrily away. 

He hasn’t had a gun until to-day, to my certain 
knowledge,” said Kennedy; and I saw him yester- 
day afternoon taking aim at a goose that had lighted 
among his decoys, along the helve of his axe.” 

Well, well! No one believed him, of course; but, 
for Heaven’s sake, when you express incredulity 
again, wait until the lie is finished, if I am in the 
party 1 ” grumbled La Salle. 

Well, never mind ; he got through with the best 
part of it; and the great wonder is, how a distem- 
pered brain could imagine all that impossible but 
well-connected delusion.” 

Kennedy,” said La Salle, with unusual gravity, 
“how can we decide that it is all a delusion? Few 
men, indeed, have claimed to see the devil, to whom 
they sell themselves daily for trifles lighter than the 
hunter’s meed of unrivalled success ; and who can 
say that the story of yonder madman is more or less 
than the fruit of the idle habits and unbridled temper 
which burned up happiness, and consumed his rea- 
son? There are few who go mad who would have 
done so had they at the first governed and denied 


102 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


themselves, and been content to enjoy in reason the 
benefits of the great Giver/’ 

There is much that is true in what you say, and 
IVe got a piece in this very Tribune which bears on 
that point. Ill read it to you. Hang me if ever I 
saw the like 1 Where’s Davies’ ice-house ? Is there 
a fog coming up, or am I dizzy ? ” 

“ 0, that’s nothing,” said La Salle, laughing. 

You’re only going blind — snow-blind, I mean. 
You know that Kane tells about his people using 
goggles to prevent snow-blindness ; and you left 
yours off yesterday and to-day.” 

Well, it’s a curious thing. I can barely see you 
now ; and I know I could not find my way home to 
save my life. But what shall I do? Will it last 
long? ” 

If I had but a handkerchief full of clay, I could 
cure it in half an hour ; but lie down in the straw, 
and get your head under the half-deck, where you can 
see neither sun nor snow, and I think you will rest 
yourself enough to see pretty well by the time we 
want to go home.” 

But Kennedy was fated to lie in impatient helpless- 
ness during the remainder of the afternoon. Several 
fine flocks came in to the decoys ; and La Salle, using 
the double-barrel first, and firing the huge duck-gun 
at long range, killed three, and sometimes four, out 
of each flock, while Kennedy groaned in anguish of 
spirit. At last he could bear it no longer. 


SNOW-BLIND. 


103 


Keep close, Kennedy ; there^s another flock com- 
ing, and the flnest IVe seen this year. There^s 
twenty at the least, and they’re coming right in.” 

Give me my gun, Charley. I can’t see much, but 
I can a little, and I can Are where I hear them call. 
This is my last day; for Patrick is coming out to- 
night with the boys, and I go in with them. Where 
are the birds now ? ” 

“ Right dead to leeward. Ah-h-huk I ah-h-huk 1 
Here they come, low down, and ready to light. 
Ah-h-huk ! ah-h-huk ! Now, Kennedy, can you see 
them ? ” 

Yes ; that is, I see something like flies in a black 
gauze net. Are those geese ? ” 

Yes, and close to us ; so up and Are.” 

Bang ! bang ! crashed the heavy double-barrel, with 
both reports nearly blended in one, and Kennedy was 
driven back by the recoil against the rear top board 
of the boat. Nearly bursting with laughter. La Salle 
lined” the flock as they swung off, kflling and 
wounding three. 

^‘Are you hurt, Kennedy?” he inquired, jumping 
out of the boat to catch the wounded birds. 

^^Dot buch, but by dose bleeds a little, a’d Fve cut 
by lip. How baddy have I killed, Charley? for I cad 
see dothing,” inquired the victim, anxiously. 

One, two, three, four, five, by jingo I Faith, 
you’ve beat the crowd, so far, this spring, and when 
you were stone-blind, almost, at that. Well, it’s 


104 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


pretty dark, and we^d better be getting home now, 
I think;^ 

The geese were picked np, and, with the others, — 
about twenty in all, — were loaded upon the tabog- 
gin,^^ which the two hunters with some difficulty 
drew through the drifts to the house where, on their 
arrival, they found that Pat had arrived from the city 
with some small stores, papers, letters, &c., but the 
boys had not accompanied him. 

Theydl bo out on skates wid Carlo and his slid on 
Monday,’^ he said. Now, Misther Kennedy, whin- 
iver youh'e ready, yedl find me to the fore in the 
kitchen.^^ 

Mr. Kennedy mustnT go until he gives us a story 
in his turn. Now the moon rises to-night, at about 
nine o^clock, and it will be much pleasanter and safer 
on the ice by moonlight. What say you, Pat ? 

Faith, I’m agreeable, and I’d a little rather, to tell 
the truth ; for there’s an ugly bit of road across the 
Pint there.” 

Well, Kennedy will have time to eat supper, and 
then we’ll have his story, when it will be time for us 
to go to bed, and just right for him to start for 
town.” 

Or, in other words,” said La Salle, it will be 
^ time for honest folk to be abed, and rogues on the 
road.’ ” 

All sat down to supper, including Pat, to whom a 
plate of roast goose and two or three cups of strong, 


A NIGHT OF PERIL, 


105 


hot, black tea were very refreshing after his ten-mile 
drive ; and then, after the little preparations for the 
next day’s shooting, and Kennedy’s little arrange- 
ments for his departure, the little group gathered 
round the blazing hearth, and Kennedy, with some 
little hesitation, began the story of 

Night of Peril. 

I am but a short man, and, as my time is short, 
you must not complain if my story is short, too. 

“ I am not so imaginative as the captain ; I haven’t 
pestered all the old men and women of the island to 
death for legends and stories, like my friend Charley 
here, who will surely bore you to death when his 
turn comes ; I am sure I cannot make you laugh as 
Hughie and Mr. Risk have done with their very 
interesting narratives, and I can only detail a little 
adventure which I unexpectedly got into on this 
coast last summer, and which I as unexpectedly got 
out of alive.” 

You mean your crossing the straits in a sixteen- 
foot boat?” said Captain Lund. want to hear 
about that myself” 

^^Well, in the early part of last August, my wife 
and I decided to visit some friends, who reside a few 
miles up the River Jean, on the opposite side of the 
straits, I suppose about twenty miles from here. We 
could reach no port by steamer that was nearer our 


106 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


destination than Pictou, and there remained a long, 
tedious stage ride when we got there. I concluded 
to take a boat, and procured of Frank Stanley a little 
row-boat, with a spritsail for running before the 
wind; for I intended to choose my own time for 
crossing. We set out from C. early one morning, 
and arrived in the afternoon after a very pleasant 
passage, and we enjoyed our visit to that section 
very much. 

After waiting a day or two for a fair wind down 
the river, we set sail, but, owing to the lightness of 
the breeze, were nearly all the afternoon in getting 
down. Still, on reaching the harbor, I determined to 
proceed, as the lights on both shores could be plainly 
seen, and I did not like to lose a favorable wind. 

Accordingly I put boldly out, heading for Point 
Prime Light, although my mind misgave me a little 
as I got clear of the lee of the land ; for the sea rose 
rapidly, and a tremendous breeze, each moment grow- 
ing stronger, carried us on with frightful rapidity. 
When we were about half way across, the wind was 
blowing a gale, and it was only for a moment, while 
on the crest of the waves, that I could see the light 
for which I was steering. 

The spray was breaking over us so that my wife 
had to bale continually to keep our craft free, and I 
dared not leave the helm to lessen sail, although I 
expected that each slat of the canvas, as we took the 
wind on the crest of a wave, would run us under, or 


A NIGHT OF PERIL. 


107 


carry away the mast, and leave us at the mercy of 
the waves. 

On we went before the breeze, darting down into 
the hollow between two seas, toiling heavily up the 
next wave, with death apparently close behind on the 
crests of two or three pursuing breakers, and then, 
with a puff which made every timber and plank 
quiver, the gale would almost lift us through a break- 
ing wall of white foam, and, with more or less of the 
sea aboard, away we would go down the incline, a 
plaything of a boat, with a frightened little man at 
the tiller, and a little woman baling incessantly, with 
nerves that never gave way for a moment in our long 
struggle for life. 

I felt that if I could get that sprit down we 
were safe ; but my wife dared not attempt it, and she 
would not trust herself at the tiller. Fortunately the 
boat steered ^ very small,’ and seizing my opportunity, 
I set the tiller amidships, darted forward, cleared the 
end of the sprit from its becket, and got back just in 
time to meet her as she began to broach to, on the 
crest of a wave, which nearly half filled us with 
water. 

I felt now as if we were safe ; for no longer cum- 
bered with a press of sail, we shipped less water, and 
had a better chance to lay out our course. Keeping 
Point Prime Light, as I supposed, well to starboard, 
I headed up the bay, seeking to make the Blockhouse 
Light, when suddenly I saw the coast dead ahead, and 


108 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


a bar, which must have been the West Bar, which I 
dared not attempt to cross. 

I therefore bore away until I made a harbor, and 
running in, got aboard a vessel, from whose captain I 
learned that we had mistaken the Blockhouse Light 
for that on Point Prime, and had at last made Crapaud 
River. 

Leaving the boat to be brought around by the 
next steamer, we drove up to town the next day, and 
found, to our surprise, that we had crossed close on the 
heels of that hurricane, which unroofed so many build- 
ings, and uprooted so many trees. I consider that 
passage as the most stirring incident in my short life, 
gentlemen, and in the language of an old story, ^ my 
wife thinks so, too.^ 

And you may well think so, Mr. Kennedy,’^ said 
Lund. For all the money in the banks of C. 
wouldn’t tempt me to run the risk, the almost cer- 
tainty, of death, I mean, that you two did. Your 
wife is a brave woman, sir, and there are very few 
men who would have borne themselves as she did.” 

Well, gentlemen, I see Pat is ready, and I must 
bid you good night. Charley, I’ll give the boys the 
list of things you want them to bring out Monday. 
I suppose you’ll get through in a couple of weeks, 
and come back to civilized life. Good night.” 

Followed by a dozen expressions of adieu and good- 
will, the travell n-s entered the sleigh, and drove mer- 
rily olf on the ice. Charley stood still a moment 


A NIGHT OF PERIL. 


109 


alone in the moonlight, listening to the last tinkle of 
the bells as they died away in the distance. 

What nonsense to stand here bareheaded, and get- 
ting cold ! and yet it seems as if something urged me 
to go back to the city. Yet, why should I dread any- 
thing here? or rather, why should I fear anything 
with such a prospect as I have before me ? 

He turned, and entered the house ; a dainty letter 
from his betrothed, brought that night from the city, 
lay upon his breast; but honey and gall mingled 
strangely in its offerings, and many a bitter word bore 
heavy on his heart. No one of all that merry party 
was readier for song, or jest, or manly sport, than he ; 
and yet he, too, had his share of that bitter cup which 
mortals call sorrow. 


no 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


CHAPTER VI. 

ADDITIONS TO THE PARTY. — AN INDIAN OUT- 
FIT.— A CONTESTED ELECTION. 

HE following day was Sunday, and 
was spent as most Sabbaths are spent 
by similar parties in such out-of-the- 
way places. A few members of the 
household drove off across the ice of 
the Western Bar to a little country 
church; but the goose-shooters cared not to display 
their half savage dress, and tanned and blistered 
faces, to the over-close inspection of the church- 
going farmers and their curious women folksP 
Accordingly, Risk passed most of the day luxuri- 
ously stretched out on the sofa, reading the Church 
Magazine, while Davies, on the opposite side of the 
fire, in the recesses of an arm-chair covered with a 
buffalo robe, devoted the larger portion of his time 
to the Weekly Wesleyan. Creamer, after a cursory 
glance at a diminutive prayer-book, spent most of 
the day in a comparison of sea-going experiences and 
apocryphal adventures with Captain Lund, in much 
the same manner as two redoubtable masters of fence 



ADDITIONS TO THE PARTY. 


Ill 


employ their leisure in launching at each other^s im- 
pregnable defence, such blows as would prove mortal 
against less skilled antagonists. 

By the middle of the afternoon Lund had related 
his sixth story, being the veracious history of how 
one Louis McGraw, a famous fishing-skipper of Min- 
gan, rode out a tremendous gale on the Orphan Bank, 
with both cables out, the storm-sail set, her helm lashed 
amidships, and the crew fastened below as 'tightly as 
possible. It is hardly worth while to detail how the 
crew were bruised and battered by the terrible roll- 
ing of the schooner ; it may be left to the imagination 
of the intelligent reader when he learns that, when 
the storm abated, the skipper found, besides innumer- 
able kinks in the cables, and sea-weed in the rig- 
ging, both topmasts broken short off, indubitable proof, 
to the nautical mind, that the Rechabite had been 
rolled over and over again, like an empty barrel, in 
that terrible sea. 

Creamer had just begun, by way of retaliation, his 
favorite yarn ” of the ingenious diplomacy of one 
Jem Jarvis, his father^s uncle, vrho, being wrecked 
amongst the cannibals of Rarertonger,” with a 
baker^s dozen of his shipmates, escaped the fate of 
his less accomplished comrades by his skill on the 
jewsharp, and an especial talent for dancing the 
double-shuffle, so that they gave him a hut to him- 
self, two wives, and all he could eat, until he broke 


112 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


his jewsharp, and got fat and lazy, and then there 
was nothing to do but to run for it. 

How Creamer’s paternal relative extricated himself 
from his precarious position will never be known, as, 
at this juncture, Ben and La Salle, respectively, weary 
of playing a limited repertoire of psalm-tunes on the 
concertina, and reading the musty records of a long- 
forgotten Sederunt of the quarterly Synod,” as de- 
tailed in an old number of the Presbyterian Witness, 
interrupted the prolonged passage at arms by an in- 
vitation, to all so disposed, to take a walk around 
the island.” 

Lund, who had misgivings as to his ability to give 
Creamer a Roland for his Oliver,” rose at qnce, and 
Creamer acceding more reluctantly, the four set off, 
through a narrow wood-path, to a cleared field near 
the western extremity of the island. 

At the verge of this field, a cliff of red sandstone, 
ribbed and seamed by centuries of weather-wear and 
beat of sea, overlooked the ample bay which opens 
into the Straits of Northumberland at their widest 
point. Before them it lay covered with huge level 
ice-fields, broken only where tide and storm had 
caused an upheaval of their edges, or a berg, de- 
graded and lessened of its once lordly majesty, it is 
true, but still grand even in its decay, rose like a 
Gothic ruin amid a snow-covered and desolate plain. 

The sun was declining in the west, but his crim- 
son rays gave warmth to the picture, and the still 


ADDITIONS TO THE PARTY, 


113 


air had, as it were, a foretaste of the balmy revivify- 
ing warmth of spring. In the woods, close at hand, 
were heard the harsh cawing of the crow, the shrill 
scream of the blue-jay, and the garrulous chatter of 
many a little family of warm-furred, pine-cone-eating 
little red squirrels. 

Neither was animal life wanting elsewhere to com- 
plete the picture. On the ice could be counted, in 
different directions, no less than seventeen flocks of 
Canada geese, some of them apparently on the watch, 
but the major part lying down, and evidently sleeping 
after their long and wearisome migration. In a single 
diminutive water-hole below the cliff, which probably 
marked the issue of one of the many subterranean 
springs of the islet, a half-dozen tiny ouac-a-wees, or 
Moniac ducks, swam and dove in conscious security. 

I can’t see any open water yet,^’ said Creamer, 
“ although it looks to me a little like a water-belt, 
alongshore, inside Point Prime.” 

There’s no more water-belt there,” said Lund, 
than there was music in your great-uncle’s jews- 
harp ; but there’s a spot off to the sou’-west that looks 
to me a little like blue water.” 

Blue water, indeed ! ” retorted Creamer ; who 
ever saw blue water on soundings ! I’ll lay a plug 
of navy tobacco there isn’t open water enough there 
away to float La Salle’s gunning-float comfortably.” 

Well, Hughie,” slowly replied the practised pilot, 
who was really little disposed to vaunt his knowl- 
8 


114 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


edge of coast and weather, the tide will soon de- 
cide whether you or I, or both of us, are right. It 
is just full flood now, and the ice is pressed in so 
against the land, that I know there can be no open- 
ings along the Point, and but very small ones where 
I think it looks like one. It seems to me that a 
water- vapor is rising out there, by yonder high pin- 
nacle just in range of the pool below the ice-foot ; but 
the tide will soon let us know if there are any large 
leads open within a dozen miles.^^ 

There^s a sign in your favor,^^ cried La Salle, 
pointing in the direction of the supposed ^ lead.’ 

There’s a flock of Brent geese, and they can’t live 
away from open water. See, Ben, they are heading 
right in for the East Bar, and if we were only there 
we might depend upon a shot.” 

La Salle was right ; the flock of birds, identifled 
plainly’' by their smaller size, their tumultuous order 
of flying, and especially by their harsh, rolling call, 
like a pack of hounds in cry, swept in from sea, 
wheeled around one of the resting flocks of Canada 
geese, alighted near them, took flight again, and, 
sweeping in an irregular course over and among the 
higher points of the icy labyrinth, disappeared be- 
hind the eastern promontory, as if in search of the 
open water, which winter had so securely locked up 
in icy bonds. 

As the sun sank behind the neighboring firs, his 
reddening light fell on a bright blue streak, which 


ADDITIONS TO THE PARTY, 


115 


seemed to glow like a stream of quicksilver between 
two heavy bodies of piled ice/^ With the ebb, the 
narrow, glittering canal began to widen, piercing 
nearer to the islet, until, heading towards the west- 
ward, it lay little more than four miles from the inter- 
ested spectators. The shadowy pinions of many flocks 
of water-fowl were seen exploring its course, and the 
neighboring geese, one by one, took flight, and, with 
clamorous calls, winged their way to its borders. 

“ I give it up,’’ said Creamer. 

Never mind, Hughie,” said Ben, 111 pay the 
wager ; for, with open water so close to us, the first 
good storm will soon sweep the bay clear to the 
bar.” 

Yes, a sharp north-easter would soon do that for 
you ; but all the heavy winds may be northerly and 
westerly for three weeks to come yet,” said Lund ; 

I’ve known the ice to hold here until the first week 
of May.” 

Well,” returned La Salle, I’m sure I hope it 
won’t be so late this year, for the stock of flour on 
the island is very small, and many of the poor folks 
can’t afford to buy any, and are living on potatoes 
almost altogether. They say, too, that there is much 
suffering among the farmers at the North Point.” 

Yes,” said Ben ; I saw a man from Lot Ten last 
week, and he said that the French were eating their 
seed-grain, and feeding their cattle, or such as were 
left alive, on birch and beech tops.” 


116 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


That has happened often, since I can remember/^ 
said Lund, and I suppose is likely to after I am 
gone ; but it seems to me that those stupids might 
learn something by this time.^’ 

It will occur to a greater or less degree, just as 
long as the island is shut out from the rest of the 
world for nearly half the year. There are few men 
who have any just estimate of the amount of provis- 
ions and fodder necessary for the sustenance of a 
family and its cattle for so long a period as a half year, 
and when accident, or the unwonted backwardness 
of the season, increases the number of mouths, or the 
length of the cold term, it is hard for the farmer to 
decide on sacrificing the life of even a superannuated 
horse, or weakly yearling, in time to benefit the more 
valuable survivors.^^ 

You^re right, Charley,^^ said Creamer ; that^s 
what my father’s uncle said, when he was a mate 
on board the Semyramsis, in the Ingy Ocean. The 
ship was lost in a harricane, sir, and only seven was 
saved in the captain’s gig — six able-bodied seamen 
and one passenger, a fat little army ossifer. So my 
great-uncle, who were bosin, made an observation, 
and says he, ^ There’s just ten days’ provision for 
seven men, and we’re twenty days to looard of Silly 
Bes (Celebes), if we only row ten miles a day. Now, 
we must row twenty miles a day ; an’ to do that, we 
must have full rations an’ somethin’ to spare. Be- 
sides, the boat ort to be lighter to row well. So, as 


ADDITIONS TO THE PARTY. 


117 


passengers don^t count along of able-bodied seamen, 
1 move we just get rid of the major on economical 
principles. All in favor say Ay ; and they all said 
ay except the major, an’ he just turned as white as 
a sheet.’ An’ then my great-uncle asked him if he’d 
got anything to say why the resolution o’ that meetin’ 
shouldn’t be carried out. Well, the major just grinned 
kind o’ uggly, an’ said that ^ he liked to see things 
done methodistically, if it were a little irregular, an’ 
he’d give his ’pinion after the rest.’ So my uncle 
went on, an’ said, ^ All contrary say, No.” ’ Well, no 
one said ^no;’ an’ then my great-uncle said, ^ Well, 
major, nothin’ remains but to carry out our resolution ; 
so please to vacate this boat ; although, seein’ as it’s 
not dinner time for some hours yet, there’s no need of 
hurry, unless you wish to have it over with.’ 

^ But,’ says the major, ^ your action is altogether 
unparly mentary. You haven’t heard a word from my 
friends.’ 

^ Friends ! there ain’t any one here on your side o’ 
the question.’ 

^ You’re mistaken, my friend,’ said the major ; an’ 
he drew from his belt a long Indian dagger that had 
been hid un er his coat; ‘ there’s one, any how.’ 

^ That ain’t much account against a boat-hook,’ 
said one of the men, as he took one with a sharp 
spike from beneath the gunwale. 

‘ Lay that down, you beggar ! ’ cried the little 
red-coat ; and he pulled out of each side-pocket a 


118 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


four-barrelled pistol, — for there were no revolvers in 
them days, — and the man laid down the boat-hook 
as quick as a flash. ^Now, men,^ said the little ossifer, 
^youdl see that we number at least ten, and there’s 
only six of you. Ah, here’s to make us a little more 
ekil ; ’ and he just fired at a noddy that was flying 
over, and dropped him right into the stern-sheets. 
^ That’ll help out our rations some,’ says he ; ^ and 
besides, you don’t see what I’m sittin’ on ; ’ and, sure 
enough, he had histed into the boat a basket of port 
an’ a whole case of cap’n’s biscuit. ^ Now,’ says he, 
< reconsider your vardick.’ 

An’ they all voted down the first resolution, and 
he gave them a bottle of port to mix with their water 
every day, and when they were drinking the last 
bottle, they made Silly Bes, and got ashore all right ; 
but my uncle always said that his calculations was 
right, and that it showed great weakness on the part 
of the men not to carry them out.” 

Well, Hughie,” said Ben, you’ve kept us here a 
good half hour later than tea time, and Mrs. Lund will 
think we’ve done well to waste her time in listening 
to your stories.” 

Well, we can see enough to assure us that the ice 
won’t break up on the bar to-morrow,” said Lund ; 

but you may get your ice-boats ready at once, for 
the next thaw, with a north-easter after it, will leave 
all clear along the ship channel to the harbor’s 
mouth.” 


ADDITIONS TO THE PARTY, 


119 


There was quite a pleasurable excitement among 
the stay-at-homes at the tea table, when the incipient 
breaking up of the ice was declared ; for on the 
proximity of narrow feeding- grounds to the ice-houses 
depended the hopes of good sport of our adventurers. 
To be sure they had thus far had nothing to complain 
of ; but the geese killed had been merely flight ” 
geese, weary with long migration, thin with want of 
food, and seeking among the treacherous lures only 
a rest from their long wandering in the safe compan- 
ionship of their own kind. 

Very shortly after supper the whole household 
retired, but, save the accustomed prayers, which few, 
either Catholic or Protestant, forget in that still 
unsophisticated ’’ land, it is to be feared that the 
Sabbath was to them little but a literal day of rest,^^ 
in its purest physical sense. 

Monday morning a glassy look to the snow-crust 
induced the younger members of the party to use 
their skates in going to their stands, and as La Salle 
drew his from his feet to deposit them in his undis- 
turbed stand, his eyes caught, amid the distant ice- 
spires, the mazy flight of what he took to be a flock 
of brent, headed in-shore. 

Signalling to Davies to get under cover, he sprang 
into his own stand, and, crouching amid the straw, 
hastily drew over his black fur cap his linen havelock, 
and looking well to the priming of his gun, sought the 
whereabouts of the swift-flying birds. 


120 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


Unlike the slower Canada geese, these birds seldom 
fly high above the surface of the water or ice when 
seeking food ; and several times he lost sight of the 
flock, as it darted around a berg, or swung round the 
circle of some secluded valley of the ice-field. 

H-r-r-r-r-huk ! H-r-r-r-r-huk ! Their barbarous 
clamor, insufficiently rendered in the foregoing, sud- 
denly sounded close to leeward, and close up against 
the light north-wester then blowing came the beautiful 
quarry, their small, black heads and necks showing as 
glossy as a raven^s wing, in contrast with the asheous 
hue of their wings, and the pure white of other parts 
of their plumage. With a wild, tumultuous rush, they 
circled in head-on over the decoys ; and it was so 
quickly done, that they had swept on fifty yards 
before La Salle could realize that the leader of the 
flock was heading for Davies, and had no intention of 
surging around to his lures again. 

It will never do to let them get the first brent, 
muttered La Salle. She has a long-range cartridge 
in, and Vll try them.’’ 

Turning on his knees, he raised the ponderous gun 
until it lined ” the retreating flock, but elevated at 
least five feet above the birds, now nearly two hun- 
dred yards away. The heavy concussion reverber- 
ated across the ice, and the fatal cartridge tore 
through the distant flight, picking out two of the 
twelve which composed the flock ; and some of the 
shot, as both Davies and Creamer afterwards averred, 


SAD REFLECTIONS. 121 

rattled smartly in among their decoys nearly four 
hundred yards away. The remaining birds, hurrying 
away from the dangers behind them, passed within 
range of Davies and his companion, and left several 
of their number dead and dying on the ice ; but the 
first brent of the season had fallen to La Sallees 
gun. 

The day was mild and without wind, and as but few 
birds were flying. La Salle coiled himself down in the 
sunny corner of his stand, and drawing from his 
pocket the letter of which we have spoken in the last 
chapter, gave it a careful and deliberate perusal. As 
he closed, a smile, strangely expressing contempt, 
pity, and admiration, curled his lips, as in low but 
audible tones, as is often the habit of the solitary 
hunter or fisherman, he communed with his own 
heart. 

Ah, Pauline ! time has brought no change to thy 
passionate, impulsive, unreasoning heart; and what 
thy biting tongue may not say, the pen will utter, 
though lapse of years and the waves of the Atlantic 
roll between us. Is it not strange that a woman’s 
letter to her betrothed, beginning with ^ My own 
love,’ and ending ^ Until death,’ can contain eight 
double -written pages of unreasonable blame, cruel 
innuendoes, and despicable revenge on the innocent ? 
Well, we are betrothed, and should have been mar- 
ried years ago, had not Pate or Providence stood in 
the way ; and I suppose her life at home is far from 


122 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


pleasant, for her step-mother is not one to let a good 
marriage go by, without reminding poor Paulie of my 
general worthlessness ; but I must say that my better 
financial and matrimonial prospects offer little hope 
of added happiness.’’ 

His eye lit up a moment, and an expression of keen 
and almost cruel intent contracted his gaze ; then, with 
a look of disdain, he seemed to throw off some evil 
influence, and a look of pity softened his face. 

Yes, if I were to resent these affronts — for such 
they are — with one half the virulence which animates 
them, her pride would alienate us forever, and I 
should be free. There are few who would blame me, 
and many who would scorn to do aught else. In 
truth I am almost decided to answer this precious 
hillet-doux in the same vein in which it was written. 
Ah, it was not all delusion that made yonder madman 
think that evil spirits haunt these icy wastes. It was 
not thus I felt when together we voyaged across that 
summer sea ; and the vows we plighted then may not 
lightly be broken. I will answer patiently, and as 
becomes the past. As to the future, it will bring due 
reward or punishment here or hereafter.” 

From these somewhat morbid self-communings, 
which we introduce for a purpose hereafter to be dis- 
closed, La Salle started, seized his glittering skates, 
and taking bis gun, glided with long, powerful strokes 
across the inner bay towards the ice-houses of the 
other party, which lay within the embouchure of 


AJV INDIAN OUTFIT, 


123 


Trois-Lieue Creek. The ice was almost perfectly 
level, save where a heavy drift had formed a small 
mound around which it was better to steer, although 
the sleety crust had frozen so hard that the broad- 
runnered Belgian skates would run almost anywhere. 
At the first ice-house he found Risk and Davies, who 
had done little or nothing for some days, and talked 
of going home at the end of the week. 

Indian Peter gets about all the geese that go 
through here, and there’s little show for us,” said 
Davies. 

Where is his ice-house ? ” asked La Salle. 

Just up the cove — the nearest of those two,” an- 
swered Risk. 

I guess I’ll have a look at his outfit, and then go 
and meet the boys at the block-house, for they have 
never been here before, and the track can’t be very 
plain now.” So saying, La Salle skated up to the 
Indian stand, almost half a mile distant. 

One-armed Peter,” as he was commonly called 
among his tribesmen, had neither the means nor the 
inclination to deviate much from the traditionary 
usages of his tribe, and was found kneeling, or, rather, 
sitting man-fashion,” as the vernacular Micmac hath 
it, although we call it tailor-fashion,” within a cir- 
cular, fort-like enclosure, some twelve feet in circum- 
ference, and with walls about three feet high. 

The latter were composed of thick slabs of ice 
placed on edge, and cemented together by frozen 


124 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


water, while tiny apertures, cut here and there, ena- 
bled the crouching hunters to note every foot of the 
approach of their wary game. A few of the decoys 
were of pine wood, rudely carved out and burnt to 
something like the natural coloring of the bird they 
were intended to represent ; but a large proportion of 
them were sea- weed ” or spruce decoys ; that is, 
bunches of the weather-bound sea-wrack, or bundles 
of evergreen twigs, made about the shape and size of 
the body of a goose. 

These were elevated on blocks of snow-ice, which 
strikingly imitated, at a little distance, the hue of the 
under feathers, and a fire-blackened stake set in the 
ice, at one end, with a collar of white birch bark at its 
junction, completed the rude but effective imitation. 
Such are the appliances which a hundred years ago 
brought the geese in thousands under the arrows of alJ 
the many tribes which range between the Straits of 
Canso and the most northern inhabited regions about 
Hudson’s Bay. 

Within the enclosure a few armfuls of fir branches- 
laid upon the hard ice, and kept carefully clear of 
snow, formed a soft floor, on which now sat three 
hunters, Peter, and Jacob, and Louis Snake, much 
younger men than he of the one arm. Each sat 
enveloped in the folds of a dingy blanket, and their 
guns rested against the icy walls — two of them rick- 
ety, long-barrelled flint-locks ; but Peter’s new acqui- 


AN INDIAN OUTFIT, 


125 


sition, a true stub-twist/^ Hollises double, was as 
good a fowling-piece as any sportsman needs. 

True to their customs, the Indians were taciturn 
enough, although Peter thanked La Salle rather 
warmly for his new weapom 

I find ’em good gun ; not miss since I got ’em. 
Give t’other gun my nethew.” And he pointed to the 
worst looking of the two antiquated weapons, as Cleo- 
patra may have surveyed her rather costly drink- 
offering, with visible misgiving as to such reckless 
liberality. 

You were very kind, Peter. I suppose he has no 
family,” said La Salle, smiling. 

Yes, me herry kind my peeple,” suavely responded 
the chief, a just pride beaming in his eyes. That 
young man no family yet — only squaw now.” 

It is evident that the average Indian doesn’t 
understand a joke,” muttered La Salle, as he said 

Good by ” to the motley trio, and darted off to meet 
a distant group, which he rightly judged to be the 
expected boys. 

Twenty minutes later he had joined the little party, 
who were proceeding at a slow dog-trot around the 
shores, instead of taking the direct course across the 
ice, which, being deemed unsafe by them, had wisely 
been avoided ; for no one can be too cautious on ice of 
which they know nothing. 

George Waring, the only son of La Salle’s employer, 
skated ahead of his companion, who was evidently of 


126 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


other than Caucasian origin, in part at least. The 
skater was a tall, fiesh-complexioned, slender youth, 
of about seventeen, bold, active, and graceful in his 
movements, but having the appearance of one whose 
growth had been a little too rapid for an equal devel- 
opment of health and strength ; and indeed it was only 
on condition that he should submit carefully to the 
directions of La Salle that his father had consented to 
the present expedition. 

His companion was, perhaps, a year older, but 
rather short and thick-set, with features in which 
the high cheek-bones and coppery hue of the American 
showed very prominently. La Salle had fallen in with 
him at the Seven Islands, on the Labrador coast, the 
year before, and employed him as a pilot to the Straits 
of Belle Isle. He called himself Regnar Orloff, was of 
tremendous strength for one of his years, and although 
apparently lazy, and somewhat fleshy, could move 
quickly enough, and to purpose, in time of need. 

Now, however, he rested one knee on the only un- 
occupied portion of a large, light sled, drawn by the 
third member of the party, a powerful dog of the 
Newfoundland species, which he was evidently train- 
ing into some little excellence as a sledge-dog. It 
was only an added virtue, even if complete ; for noble 
old Carlo had already excellences enough to canonize 
a dozen individual canines. He was strong, saga- 
cious, peaceably inclined, but a terrible foe when 
aroused ; could eat anything, carry a man in the 


DOG-TRAINING. 


127 


water, watch any place, team, or article, hold a horse, 
beat for snipe or woodcock, lie motionless anywhere 
you might designate, retrieve anywhere on land, 
water, or ice, and loved a gun as well as his young 
master. La Salle. 

Well, George, you^re here at last,^^ cried La Salle, 
as he came up. How is everything in town, and 
what'^s the news ? 

0, nothing out of the common. All are well. The 
governor gave a ball Wednesday, and the House dis- 
solves next week. WeVe had plenty of geese to eat, 
but we wanted to kill some ; and so here we are.^^ 

How are you, Regnie ? Getting tired of civiliza- 
tion, and wanting to get back to the ice ? 

Ha, ha, ha ! Yes, master, just so. After I see Paris 
and Copenhagen, I do very well, keep quite satisfied. 
But when I shut up in large city like C., I think it 
too much. I feel lonesome, want to get back to the 
wild’ness.^^ 

And how does Carlo learn sleighing ? 

0, he does well enough. He canT be taught 
right, for it would be too bad to use Greenland whip ; 
but I make this little one, and can drive very well ; 
and as he spoke, he held up a wand of supple whale- 
bone, tipped with a slender snapper of plaited 
leather, and lightly touching the noble animal with 
the harmless implement, the dog gave a playful bark, 
and started off on an easy trot. 

We strike off here for those black specks yon- 


128 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


der/^ said La Salle ; ^^but what is coming behind us, 
George ? 

^^0, that is Dolland, Venner, and that set; and 
I guess theydl have ^ a high old time/ and no mis- 
take/’ 

‘^Well, let’s take an observation, boys, and then 
we’ll set off.” 

And, stopping, the party turned to survey a spec- 
tacle truly annoying to any true sportsman, whatever 
may be his views on the temperance question. 

Advancing in their rear came a truck-sled, loaded 
with what, although evidently a miscellaneous freight, 
was largely composed of liquor ; for a goodly ale-keg 
formed the driver’s seat, a bottle-hamper the pinnacle 
of the load, and a half dozen young men, who were 
perched wherever a seat presented itself, filled the 
air with loud, and oft-repeated shouts and roaring 
songs, whose inspiration could plainly be traced to 
certain bottles, jugs, and flasks, with which each in 
turn took an observation ” of the heavens, at about 
every other hundred yards. An expression of disgust 
on La Salle’s deeply-tanned face gradually gave way 
to resignation, and then a well-founded hope irradi- 
ated his features ; a new movement of the crowd 
attracted his attention. 

Well, boys,” he exclaimed, you’re in luck to have 
such a gang to come out with, and you may count on 
having little or no sport to-day and to-morrow; but 
they’ll have to go in, in three days at farthest.” 

Why so ? ” asked the boys, in a breath. 


w 

tri 

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Q 

H 

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B 

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CO 

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to 



✓ 







DANGEROUS FRIENDS. 


129 


Because their rum won’t last them more than 
forty-eight hours, especially with the amateur aid 
they’ll get from the driver; and twelve hours after 
that event takes place, they’ll be in town again. But 
come, they are getting near us, and are loading their 
guns ; so let’s leave before the vicinage is dangerous.” 

^^Why, Charley,” said Waring, in astonishment, 
there’s no danger. Those fellows wouldn’t shoot 
at us. I know them.” 

And so do I, my dear fellow ; and that’s just the 
reason I want to get out of the way. If I didn’t 
know what drunken men will do in the way of ‘ sport- 
ing casualties,’ or felt certain that their object was to 
shoot us, I should feel perfectly easy on the subject; 
and setting off at full speed, followed by Waring and 
the sledge. La Salle led the way to the ice-houses, 
which they reached about an hour before sunset. 

Drawing up by the boat. La Salle examined the 
load of the day, and from it took a little case made 
of a candle-box with stout hinges and a padlock. He 
opened it, and found, as he had ordered, a Crimean 
cooking-lantern,” with spring candlestick and a pound 
of candles, a small tin canister of coffee, another of 
sugar, some pilot bread, and several boxes of sardines. 
Taking all but two of the latter from the box, he 
relocked it, and carefully removing the matted straw 
in the stern of his boat, placed the box under the 
decking, and replacing the compressed straw, effec- 
tually hid it from sight. 

9 


130 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


We can now have a lunch, with a hot cup of cof- 
fee, whenever we please, and you will find some 
weather even yet when it will be very welcome. 
Come, let us go home to-night, and get ready for to- 
morrow’s charivari^ for noise will not be wanting, 
although game may ; ” and adding his brent to the 
load. La Salle covered his boat, and, joined by Davies 
and Creamer, who greeted the boys warmly, all 
went up to their welcome, if somewhat narrow, 
quarters. 

After tea, which boasted of fried bacon and eggs, 
the usual circle was formed, and Mr. Davies, being 
called upon to entertain the company, said that he 
was not much of a story-teller, but had learned some 
facts relating to a terrible political tumult, which 
took place years ago, but was still spoken of every- 
where on the island as the great ^ Belfast Riot.’ I 
shall term it, unless some one offers a better name, 
the most lively specimen we ever had of 

Contested Election. 

It need hardly be said, in this company, that an 
election among us is a far more exciting occasion 
than among our less-favored American neighbors, 
who ignore the superior advantages of voting viva 
voccj and adopt the less manly and unobtrusive me- 
dium of the ballot. 

Why, gentlemen, I venture to say, that our lit- 
tle capital town of C., with its thousand votes, pre- 


A CONTESTED ELECTION, 


131 


sents more stir, makes more noise, drinks more 
whiskey, and is the arena of more fistic science and 
club play, during an ordinary election, than any city 
in New England, of four times the population, during 
a presidential struggle. The open polling-booths in 
the heart of the city surrounded by crowds of intel- 
ligent (and highly-excited) voters ; the narrow gang- 
ways crowded, rain or shine, by those immediately 
claiming the right of suffrage ; the narrow precincts 
of the sheriff's court, the sublime majesty of that 
important oflScer; the ineffable serenity of the city 
clerk ; the various bearings of the candidates or their 
representatives ; the frantic efforts of a few uniformed 
police to keep order; the evident and good-natured 
determination of the crowd that the aforesaid ofScials 
shall ^ have their hands full ; ^ the loud voices and 
sharp questions of the challengers and their victim ; 
the dainty bits of family history made public prop- 
erty; the overbearing insolence of the old lawyers, 
and the overweening impudence of the young ones ; 
the open taverns ; the rival carriages for the accom- 
modation of doubtful, drunken, and lazy voters, to- 
gether with the lively little incidents which diversify 
the picture as the culminating glory of these various 
provocative elements, — form a picture which it hath 
not entered into the heart of the average American 
citizen to conceive of. 

“ But, however lively the picture, an election in 
these degenerate later days is but a tame affair com- 


132 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


pared with those which took place during my first 
years of labor in political matters. As all know, the 
island was given away on one day to certain individ- 
uals, on conditions of which nothing more may be 
said here than that one was, that a certain number of 
settlers were to be placed on each estate within a 
given number of years. Accordingly, from almost 
every section of the British Isles, the proprietors 
sought out such emigrants as could most easily be 
procured. 

The result was, that we still have settlements in 
close proximity to each other, whose peoples use 
different languages in daily conversation, who vary 
radically in religious belief, have few natural traits 
in common, and are almost, if not altogether, ^ natural 
enemies ^ each to each. Thus we have a settlement 
of Protestant Highland Scotch close by a large estate 
peopled with Monaghan or Kilkenny Irish Catholics ; 
and perhaps a little farther on is a hamlet of Low- 
landers, or a village of thrifty English folk. 

But in those days these distinctions were yet 
more marked, and the feuds of Orange and Ribbon- 
man, Scotch and Irish, Englishman and French Aca- 
dian, had not then given way before the softening and 
concealing hand of ^ Time, the great leveller ; ^ and so 
some twenty years ago, during a close contest be- 
tween the then rising liberal party and the conserva- 
tives, a riot took place near the polling-booth in the 
Highland Scotch settlement of Belfast. All the com- 


A CONTESTED ELECTION 


133 


bined strength of both parties was present ; the can- 
vassing had been of the most thorough nature, and 
all the antipathies of race and religion appealed to 
for electioneering purposes. 

It is said that the Catholics went there expecting 
a fight, each armed with a well-balanced, tough sliil- 
lelagli, and that they made a general attack on the 
Scotch. At all events, it is certain that the larger 
number of the latter had to betake themselves to the 
nearest available weapon, and that many were cut 
and bruised by the skilfully-handled weapons of the 
active Irish cudgel-players. One Scotchman, how- 
ever (a fellow of unusual stature), seized a fence-rail, 
and, by his single arm, stayed the tide of flight in his 
part of the fray. Almost frantic with apprehension, 
rage, and the desire for revenge, he wielded his pon- 
derous weapon as if it were an ordinary club, striking 
such tremendous blows that tradition has it that not 
one of a half-score of the best and bravest of the 
Irish leaders survived the effects of those terrible 
and crushing blows. Profiting by his prowess, the 
Scotch procured the heavy stakes of their sleds, 
tough poles, pieces of firewood, and similar ponder- 
ous weapons, and, headed by the hero of the day, 
made a charge, returning with terrible severity the 
comparatively slight damage inflicted by the light 
cudgels of the Irish. 

The details of that day of blood — how the fray 
began, and between whom ; the varying records of its 


134 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


progress as victory inclined first to one side, and then 
to the other ; the number of the killed and wounded, 
and the names of the fallen — have never been gener- 
ally known, and probably never will be ; for many of 
the principal actors in that savage drama have passed 
away ^ into the dread unknown.’ 

But it is still commonly believed, and so reported? 
that over a score of the Irish were killed on the field, 
or died of their wounds ; that no Scotchman perished ; 
that the field where the deadliest part of the work 
was done became accursed, and has lain barren to this 
day ; and that the leader of the Scotch became insane 
with the memory of his own terrible prowess. 

Among those who have reason to remember 
that dreadful affair, however, may be numbered C.” 
(Here the narrator named an infiuential and wealthy 
business man.) ^^He was travelling in that section, 
and being ignorant of what had taken place, stopped 
at a country town to bait his horse, and warm and 
refresh himself. Entering, he found the reception- 
room filled with Irish, whose harsh features were 
infiamed with varied passions, while the persons of 
many bore marks of recent injury. No one replied 
to his friendly greeting, and their whole conversation 
was carried on in Erse, although every intonation and 
gesture was replete with passion. Suddenly he saw 
the landlady beckoning him out of the room, and, 
rising, he approached her as if to give directions 
about his horse. 


A CONTESTED ELECTION. 135 

Trembling with agitation, she addressed him : — 

‘ 0, Mr. C., for the love of Heaven, run to your 
sleigh, and leave at once, or your life isnT worth an 
hour’s purchase 1 ’ 

Then, in a few words, she gave him some idea of 
the day’s events, and taking the measure of oats 
provided, Mr. C. passed on through his enemies to 
the shed, where, beside a number of rude country 
sledges, stood his own fleet horse and light cutter. 



Taking the bells off his horse, he backed him out of 
the shed, and was ready for flight. On the nearest 
sledge was bound a long, oblong parcel, covered with 
a rug. Curiosity proved stronger than fear, and lift- 
ing a loose corner of the scanty covering, Mr. C. found 
himself face to face with a corpse ! 

Springing into his sleigh, he put his horse to his 
utmost speed, and when day dawned was a score of 
miles from the scene of his unexpected danger and 
appalling night adventure.” 


136 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


CHAPTER VII. 

A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER. — BREAKING UP 
OF THE ICE. — JIM MOUNTAIN’S FIGHT WITH 
THE DEVIL. 

)oys awoke somewhat disappointed 
next morning, for the heavy rain 
falling, and the wind blew hard 
1 the south-east, so that no one in 
senses would think of facing such 
discomfort for the sake of sport. 

DonT look blue, George,^^ said La Salle; ^^weVe 
enough to do to prepare for the open water, which 
this gale will probably lead up to the outer edge of 
the bar, at least. There’s the float to be painted and 
fitted, and the floating decoys to be put in order ; and 
while I use the white paint, you and Regnie must rope 
and repair the decoys.” 

Accordingly the four sought the barn, whither Ben 
and Creamer had preceded them on a similar errand. 
La Salle’s boat was a flat-bottomed sculling-float,” 
twelve feet long by three feet beam, and ten inches 
deep, with a hole through the stern-board, through 
which, with a short, crooked oar, a man could silently 



A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, 


137 


propel himself within shot of a flock of fowl. Davieses 
boat aimed at the same end in another way, beii.g a 
large side- wheel paddle-boat, propelled by cranks, for 
two persons. Both boats were painted white, so as to 
be undistinguishable from the floating ice at a little 
distance. Besides these two, there were a double 
boat with centre paddle-wheel, and a side-wheel 
worked by the feet on the velocipede principle, be- 
longing on the island. 

The forenoon was spent as proposed, and as the 
bad weather still held, a target was set up for prac- 
tice with the rifle, and many excellent shots were 
made from the great door of the barn. At last, how- 
ever, the impatience of the party overcame all fears 
of exposure, and, donning their water-proof clothing, 
all went down to the East Bar to watch its effect on 
the ice. 

The huge floe had given way at last, and broken 
into many floating islets of varied size, had become 
a scene of life and animation, in striking contrast to 
its late icy desolation. In every direction geese, 
singly and in flocks, fed along the edges of the still 
immovable inner ice-fields ; swam placidly among the 
narrow leads, or in huge bodies blackened the open 
pools or the projecting points of ice. Among them, 
too, wheeled many flocks of clamorous brent, while, 
from time to time, the desolate cry of the Moniac 
duck, or the shrill, monotonous, strident flight of the 


138 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


Whistler warned the sportsmen that new visitants 
were about to greet their vision. 

You will have to change your location, Eisk/’ 
said Lund, who had accompanied them ; for you 
must shoot on the water-line, now the ice has 
opened.^^ 

Davies and I go home to-morrow,^^ answered he. 
a j regret to leave with such a prospect before us, 
but business presses ; and besides, there are new dan- 
gers now which I care not to face.^^ 

Ay, ay ! youh’e right, Mr. Risk,’^ said Lund ; and 
although I am glad to have you around me, I shall be 
glad this year when I see the last of you safely across 
the Western Bar.^^ 

There, there, Lund,’’ said Risk ; they’re young, 
smart, have good boats, and, what is more, know well 
how to use them ; and if I were less clumsy and old, 
I would no more fear any danger here than I would at 
home. Don’t frighten the young lads with your non- 
sense, but let us get home to supper, and, as it is 
our last night together, have a cosy evening in the 
kitchen, and a good story from Ben and Charley 
here.” 

The proposition was acceded to, and after supper, 
Ben, with little urging, commenced a legend of the 
North Shore, even now related by the farmers around 
the winter’s hearth witli full faith in its veracity. He 
termed it by its local name 


FIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, 


139 


^^JiM Mountain's Fight with the Deyil.^^ 

Fifty years ago Jim Mountain, of Goose Creek, 
was as stout and jovial a young farmer of twenty- 
five, as there was in his section. No ship-launch 
frame-raising, logging-bee, or dance, was considered 
complete without him, and while his strength was 
almost equal to that of any two of his companions, 
his merry laugh was so infectious that even envy 
couldn’t resist joining in, when public opinion pro-^ 
nounced him ^ the best man in the county.’ 

He soon married the daughter of a well-to-do 
farmer, and then, for the first time, it appeared that 
his love of ^ divershin ’ and whiskey, had grown by 
what it fed on, and poor Mary dreaded the approach 
of market-day, as he seldom returned from the shire 
town altogether sober, and often not until late into 
the next day. 

It was in vain that his blooming Mary entreated, 
coaxed, cried, and threatened ; he never lost his tem- 
per ; often, indeed, promised amendment, but did in 
the end about the same as usual. At last the mer- 
chant with whom he traded, a man of some little 
medical knowledge, finished their business interview 
with the following bit of advice : — 

^ Jim, it’s none of my business, but you are ruin- 
ing your health and breaking your wife’s heart. You 
are not one of the kind that show how much they do 
drink ; but no man in your district can match you, 


140 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


and when you do get sick, I shan^t expect to see 
you alive/ 

^ An’ do ye think so, then, Mr. B. ? ’ 

^ I am almost sure of it, for Long Tom Cunning- 
ham, the big ship carpenter that you’ve heard your 
father tell of, was just such a man, and the first touch 
of the horrors ” carried him off.’ 

^ Well, sir, I’m much obliged for your good will, 
any how, and after my cousin Johnny McGrath has 
his bit of a spree. I’ll try and leave it ofi* for a while, 
any way.’ 

Johnny McGrath’s ^ spree,’ a fulling-frolic, came 
off one Saturday night, about a fortnight after this ; 
and while the web of strong, coarse home-spun cloth, 
which was to furnish Mac and his boys with their 
year’s stock of outer clothing, was being duly lifted, 
rubbed, banged on a bench, and twisted by the 
strong hands of about thirty men and women, Jim 
led the roaring choruses, and manipulated his end of 
the cloth with a vigor which at once delighted and 
alarmed the fair weaver thereof. 

In the dancing and whiskey- drinking which fol- 
lowed, Jim was in his element; and it was nearly mid- 
night before the party broke up, and he was left alone 
with the rest of his relative’s household. 

^ Well, Johnny,’ said he, ^ you’ve done the decent 
thing this time, and I’m glad my last spree has been 
at your place, for I’m going to quit grog for a while. 
Give me a coal for my pipe, Jane, for it’s late, and 


FIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. 


141 


Vve a good five miles^ of beach atween me an^ 
home.^ 

^ Is the man mad ? ^ said Jane, good-naturedly. 
^ Surely, John, youdl not let him out of the house to- 
night.^ 

^ No, no, Jim,^ said McGrath, getting between him 
and the door ; ^ out of this you don^t stir to-night ; 
so sit down, have another drop, and tak’ a quiet 
night’s rest.’ 

^ Come, John, don’t anger or hinder me, for I feel 
strangely to-night, and I must go home.’ 

^ Faith, that’s all the more reason I have to keep 
you here. Come, sit down, you obstinate fellow, and 
don’t be waking the wife up just before daybreak, 
only to let in a man that must be out walking all 
night. Confound it, would you hit me, Jim ? Sure, 
now, you’re not angered — are you ? ’ 

^ No, I’m not angry ; but I’ll not be treated like a 
child, nor lectered, neither. Let me go, I tell you, or 
there’ll be ill blood between us. Home I’ll go, I tell 
you ! ’ shouted the excited man. ^ Home I’m going, 
although the devil tried to stop me ; ’ and flinging his 
cousm aside as il he were a child, he rushed out of 
the house, and took a narrow path which led down to 
the moonlit sea-beach. 

About an hour after, a despairing cry at the door 
awakened McGrath and his wearied household, and, 
opening it, they found a bruised, bloody, and literally 
naked man, lying senseless on the threshold. With 


142 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


some difficulty they recognized the features of Moun- 
tain, and it was broad daylight before he came to him- 
self His story was short, but strange. 

^ I took the path down to the beach, thinking to 
wade the narrow run at Eel Pond, and so save a mile 
or two of road. It was light as day, and I went along 
well enough, though I felt sad-like, an^ as if somethin^ 
were about to happen me. 

^ It^s an unchancy place there, near the pond, 
where the great san^-hill blew over the birch grove 
an^ killed the trees ; and last night, as I went through 
them, the tall, white, broken trunks seemed almost 
alive. Why, man, I’d have sworn that some of them 
had a dozen faces grinnin’ and laughin’, and I felt all 
the while as if I was a fool ; for, whenever I stopped 
an’ looked close, there was nought but knots, an’ bark, 
an’ gnarly limbs. Still, although I’d been through 
them a thousan’ times, I felt afraid, for it seemed 
to me as if there was somebody near me that 1 
couldnH see. 

Well, at last I got through the dead grove, an’ 
came to the san’-plain wher’ the ribs of the old ship 
are stannin’, an’ I got to thinkin’ what she might hev’ 
bin, fer none o’ us know how many years she lay in 
the sail’ before the great gale swept the san’ off of 
her white bones. I looked at her close as I passed, 
an’ although I saw nauthin’ but her ribs, she made me 
think o’ a ’natomy ; an’ I looked all around, but saw no 


FIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. 


143 


one, an^ went down into the water, hevin^ first ta^en 
off* my shoes. 

^ The cool water did feel nice ; an^ as I stepped 
ashore, I whistled up The DeviPs Dream,” an^ 
struck out across the beach, when, looking back, I 
saw, between me an^ the stream, a man who made at 
me with terrible ferceness. I can tell you nauthiiP 
about him, ^cept that his clothes were black an^ 
strange, his face dark an^ savage, an^ his eyes almost 
like fire. I had no doubt that he meant me harm, 
an’ as he cam’ up, I struck out wi’ all my strenth. 
Ye mind when I hit big Jack Ready, an’ thought I 
should have to flee the country. Well, I hit him 
twicet as hard, an’ he never stopped, but came in an’ 
clinched. My God ! I’m breathless now wi’ the 
squeezin’ I got there. I’m afraid of no man standin’ 
within twenty mile, at ayther Ingin hug, collar an’ 
ilbow, or side-hold, but I was like a child in its 
grip. 

^ Still I fought on, though the san’ flew into the 
air ; an’ through it, like a fog, I saw the old wrack an’ 
the dead grove, an’ the fiery eyes that glared into 
mine, an’ I felt the grasp of a han’ that seemed to 
burn into my hip ; an’ then I knew I couldn’t fight 
fair wi’ that. I drew my knife an’ opened it, an’ 
three times I thrust it to the hilt into the side o’ the 
black man, or devil, an’ he only glared at me fercer, 
an’ took a stronger hold on my hip. Just at this mo- 
ment I felt the cool water at my feet, an’ wi’ one tre- 


144 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


mendous effort, I whirled myself into the stream to 
fight it out there. A moment I lay on my back in 
the shallow stream, an’ then I rose to my feet. I was 
alone wi’ nauthin’ o’ what had happened, save the 
open knife in my han’, the trampled beach, an’ my 
torn an’ ruined clawthin’. 

^ Then I remembered that old McGregor used to 
say that nauthin’ bad could pass runnin’ water, an’ I 
thought I’d get back to ye if I could. I remember 
somethin’ of tearin’ through the lonely beach an’ 
blasted woods, of seein’ more faces in the trees, an’ 
bearin’ quick footsteps on my track, but I remember 
nauthin’ more. Look at my hip, will you, wi’ the 
cannle there ? It hurts me awfully.’ 

The candle fell from Jane’s shaking hands, but 
was caught by her husband before it was extin- 
guished. 

^ As God lives, ye have spoken the truth, for 
there is the mark o’ the devil’s grip ; ’ and greatly 
to the terror of all, there appeared on the hip of the 
exhausted man the black imprint of a thumb and four 
fingers. 

My informant told me that, fifty years later, after 
Mountain had raised a large family of children, and 
passed a life subsequently innocent of his youthful 
excesses, the same indelible marks were left to tell 
of the terrible conflict of that memorable night ; and 
none of his neighbors ever doubted the literal truth 
of his strange story, save one. 


FIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. 


145 


That man was B., who never undeceived Moun- 
tain, or tried to do so ; but in detailing the story 
to my father, closed the recital thus : ‘ I have always 
thought that he had an attack of delirium tremens, 
and that he fancied the assault of the goblin ; for I 
forgot to tell you that next morning they followed his 
track, finding his shoes and fragments of his attire on 
the opposite side of the run, which was torn up, with 
the marks of a terrible struggle and many feet. Prob- 
ably he tore off his own clothes in the fancied fight, 
drew his knife, struck at an air-born fantasy/- and 
was finally partially restored by falling into the water, 
after which he completed his exhaustion by running 
back to the house. ^ 

^ Have you seen the marks ? ’ asked my father. 

Yes; I saw them at the time,^ slowly answered 
Mr. B. 

u i W"ere they as described ? ^ 

^ Very like the grip of a hand ; one dark impres- 
sion on the back of the left hip, and four smaller ones 
in a row on the front,’ said B. 

^ And how do you account for those ? ’ asked my 
father. 

Mr. B. hesitated, and then answered candidly, 
^ I don’t know what to think of that myself. I have 
sometimes thought that a fall among the many roots 
and fallen trunks of trees, which then strewed that 
desolate place, may have caused such injuries ; but 
why did they remain apparent long after discolora- 
10 


146 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


tions of such a nature should have disappeared ? Per- 
haps imagination may have had its effect, and mad^ 
the impressions indelible. But if there is any truth 
in old-world stories, few places fitter for such horrors 
can be found than was that drear waste of sand, desti- 
tute of all signs of man’s proximity, bounded on one 
side by a blackened forest, on the other by the sailless 
sea, and containing only the whitened ribs of a long- 
forgotten wreck. None of the folk around here, sir, 
join in my doubts as to the reality of Mountain’s fight 
with the devil.’ ” 

As Ben closed, a sound of sleigh-bells came up the 
road, and Lund opened the door, at which appeared 
a light sleigh driven by one of Risk’s sons. 

^^You and uncle are wanted in town at once. L. 
has sent you this letter, and says — ” And he whis- 
pered a few words in his father’s ear. 

I came out to-night, for the ice is getting very 
bad, and a horse was lost crossing the North River at 
Duckendorff ’s to-day. It is freezing to-night, but the 
moon shows at times through the clouds, and we can 
get home before one o’clock.” 

An hour later. Risk and the elder Davies bade a 
regretful farewell to their young companions. I am 
sorry,” said the former, that as yet we have had no 
story from you. La Salle ; but I hope to see you at my 
house in C., and hear it there when your trip is 
over. Take care of yourself, and make Lund out a 


CONSULTATION, 


147 


false prophet. Good night, captain, you old croaker ; 
and the sleigh disappeared in the shadows of the 
forest-covered lane which led to the beach. 

Well, boys,’’ said La Salle, ^^the best of our even- 
ings are over, and we must look to boat and gun for 
our best sport.’^ 

We must have your story, though,’^ said Ben. 

0, of course ; but not to-night, for we have much 
to do to-morrow, to get our boats down for the open- 
water shooting.^’ 

With this no one disagreed ; and half an hour later, 
all were fast asleep. 




148 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


CHAPTER VIII. 

FLOAT-SHOOTING. — A GENERAL FIELD-DAY. — 
CHANGES OF THE ICE. 

HE next morning, the boats, which were 
all provided with runners, were drawn 
to the bar, and Carious sled carried, be- 
sides the lunch and ammunition of the 
party, a dozen wooden duck decoys, 
weighted and roped, for open water. 

Davies and Creamer gave up their box and outfit to 
one-armed Peter, as they were about to try their new 
paddle-boat. She was duly launched, and Ben placed 
himself forward, between the paddle-boxes, ready to 
do the steering and shooting, while Creamer acted as 
the motive power, transmitted by a belt and pulleys. 
Although somewhat high out of water, she moved off* 
easily, and made little noise when running slowly ; and 
taking the first of the ebb, the pair moved eastward 
into the opening ice. 

George and Ben Lund, in their new-fashioned 
centre-wheel, made poorer progress, but hurried out 
to get ahead of the skimmin^dish,^^ as they styled 
La Salle’s light, shallow craft. He let them go, and 



FLOA T-SHOOTING. 


149 


stationing George and Regnar in the ice-boat, put 
out his floating decoys in the nearest waters, and, 
cutting slabs of ice, built a high wall around his own 
boat, which he drew up on the ice. Carlo inconti- 
nently plunged into the straw under the half-deck of 
the larger boat, and soon all was ready for the expected 
birds. 

Meanwhile, upon the stranded berg which lay im- 
movable off the southern face of the island, gathered 
the new comers, whose Bacchanal approach has of late 
been chronicled. Had they had any outfit of decoys, 
and known how to use them, they could not but have 
had good sport ; and even as it was, so many birds 
passed and repassed them, that a good shot could not 
have failed to secure at least a few ducks. But, how- 
ever unfortunate in securing any trophies, they failed 
not in the weight or constancy of their fire. 

Not a flock passed within a quarter of a mile but 
received a volley ; not a loon that showed his distant 
head above water but went down under the fire of a 
platoon ; and not a frightened duck darted overhead 
but heard the air behind him torn with whistling shot 
enough to have exterminated his whole tribe. 

Prom time to time a lull in the storm would occur, 
and then peals of laughter would come across the in- 
tervening waters ; and looking up, the irritated sports- 
men generally beheld a tableau of inverted pocket- 
flasks, and feats of strength with a rapidly lightening 
ale-keg. But, although our friends bore the proximity 


150 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


of these city gunners with great patience for a while, 
an event soon occurred which brought matters to a 
focus. 

A flock of geese were seen approaching from the 
eastward, and La Salle, cautioning the boys, crouched 
down in his boat and called. Peter followed suit, 
and so did the party on the bergs. The flock swung 
within a hundred yards of Peter, who held his Are, 
and then, seeing the floating decoys, swung round to 
leeward of them, and setting their wings, scaled slowly 
in, passing within about two hundred and flfty yards 
of the party on the berg. 

Of course they opened Are at once, with shot of all 
sorts and sizes, doing no execution but sending a bullet 
from one of their guns straight over the heads of La 
Salle and his friends. A flock or two of ducks and 
brent made similar attempts to alight, but every shot 
was spoiled in the same way. 

La Salle was indignant, and the boys were at a 
white heat, when, without any birds being between 
them, the report of a heavily charged gun was heard, 
and a few heavy shot struck the ice near the boats, 
while the drunken crowd yelled in triumph as the 
water, by its ripples, showed the great distance at- 
tained by the shot. 

I’ll shoot, too, the next chance, and so may you, 
boys. Elevate well, and Are when the birds are be- 
tween us and the berg,^^ said La Salle. 

It was not long before three geese attempted to 


FLOA T-SHOOriNG. 


151 


scale in as the others had done, and were fired at as 
before, the bullet this time striking the water in line 
of the boat, and whistling a few feet above it. The 
birds, somewhat frightened, got within a hundred 
yards before swinging off, and all three discharged 
their large shot simultaneously. A single goose fell 
with a broken wing, and Carlo, springing out of the 
boat, plunged into the water. Charley watched the 
ejffect of his shot on the party on the berg. O.ne stood 
just then in bold relief against the distant horizon, 
displaying the broader part of his physique to view 
while taking an observation with a brandy-bottle. 
Suddenly a faint yell was heard, the bottle dropped 
on the berg, the hands that had held it frantically 
clutched at the coat-tails of the victim, and an ago- 
nized 'pas seul told that the Baby had well avenged 
the wrongs of her owner. 

Half an hour later, the party had evacuated their 
position, bag and baggage, carrying their wounded,^^ 
who, from the stern-sheets of their boat, shook his fist 
in savage pantomime at the innocent La Salle and his 
amused companions. Some weeks later he learned 
that a single large shot had, without piercing the 
cloth, raised a contusion about the size of a pigeon’s 
egg, on muscles whose comfort, for a fortnight after, 
emphatically tabooed the use of chairs, and made a 
feather bed an indispensable adjunct to repose. 

After a long chase Carlo secured his bird, and 
swimming to the nearest shore, ran around the edge 


152 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


of the ice, in a way which showed his appreciation 
of the difference between running, and swimming 
against a five-knot tide. Securing the bird, he was 
allowed to shake himself, and was then called into the 
boat, from which a good lookout was kept, as there 
now existed some chance for good management and 
skilful shooting. 

The first victims were a fiock of black ducks, which 
with the usual readiness to decoy of these birds, had 
fiown in and lit among the decoys before La Salle 
could warn his boys, who had their backs turned at 
the time. They managed, however, to hear him, and 
poured in a sharp volley, killing four in the water, 
while La Salle picked a brace out on the wing. 

Regnar, who had a breech-loader, got ready in time 
to kill a brace of Moniac duck out of a fiock which 
swept past uttering their singularly desolate call of 
Ouac-a-wee, ouac-a-wee ! and by the time these 
birds were retrieved, several faint reports to the east- 
ward were heard, and a vast cloud of geese of both 
kinds rose just above the floating ice, and swept up 
towards the bar. Most of these settled down among 
the floes ; but one large flock of brent swept over 
Peter, in answer to his almost perfect calling. The 
leaders of the flock were in the very act of alighting 
when he fired, and a dozen, at least, lay dead when 
the white smoke of his volley cleared away. 

I must have one turn with my float,’^ said La Salle, 
after the three had taken lunch and had their share of 


CHANGES OF THE ICE, 


153 


a pint of hot, strong coffee prepared in the Crimean 
lantern. The tide will soon turn, and I shall work 
out into the ice and come up with it. You, boys, 
must look out for the flying birds, and take in the 
floating decoys before they are crushed or lost.^’ 

Launching the light boat, he fitted his rowlocks, 
and with a light pair of sculls rowed for an hour out 
into the Gulf, taking care to keep well to the east- 
ward. At the end of that time he unshipped his 
sculls, took in his rowlocks, fitted his sculling-oar into 
its muffled aperture, and getting himself comfortably 
settled, grasped his oar with his left hand, and with 
his eyes just peering over the gunwale, let the light 
boat drift with the returning tide, and its fantastic 
burden of water-worn congelations. 

He had not floated two hundred yards, before a 
change of the ice revealed a small flock of seven 
geese, quietly feeding along the border of a low piece 
of fleld ice. Cocking his gun and laying it ready to 
hand. La Salle drifted nearer and nearer, keeping 
barely enough headway to steer her, bow on. 
The gander, a noble bird, suddenly raised his head to 
gaze at the advancing boat. All the rest instantly 
raised theirs ready for immediate flight. The anxious 
sportsman lay motionless, ceasing the play of his 
scull, and the birds, gradually relaxing their necks, 
turned and swam rapidly awa}^. 

Still, La Salle tried not to pursue, and the gander, 
finding that the boat did not get any nearer, stopped, 


154 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


looked, started, stopped, and went to feeding again, 
followed in all things, of course, by his companions. 
Then the delicate oar began its noiseless sweep, and 
gradually the sharp prow crept nearer, passing, one by 
one, sluggish floes and fantastic pinnacles, until again 
the wary leader raised his head as if in perplexity 
and doubt. There, to be sure, was the bit of ice he 
had taken fright at before, nearer than ever ; but it 
floated as harmlessly as the cake just beside it, from 
whose edges he had gleaned rootlets of young and 
tender eel-grass not half an hour ago. So the poor 
overmatched bird doubtless argued ; and ashamed of 
his fears, which were but too well founded, and doubt- 
ful of his instincts, which he should have trusted, the 
gander turned again to the little eddy of sea- wrack 
amid which, with soft guttural love-calls, he summoned 
his harem to many a dainty morsel. 

Triumphantly shone the deadly eye which glittered 
beneath the snowy cap ; noiselessly swung the ashen 
oar, and as unerringly set as Destiny, and remorseless 
as Death, the knife-like bow slid through the black 
waters. One hundred, ninety, eighty, seventy, flfty, 
forty yards only, divide the doomed birds from the 
boat, and the white gunwale is hidden from their view 
by the interposition of the very floe along whose edge 
they are feeding. Steadily La Salle drives the prow 
gently against the ice, then drops his oar, and grasps 
his heavy gun. He hazards a glance : the birds, scarce 
thirty yards away, are unsuspectingly feeding in a 


CHAAGES OF THE ICE, 


155 


close body ; he rises to a sitting posture, raises his 
gun, and whistles shrilly and long. Instantly the 
birds raise their heads, gathering around their leader. 
Bang ! The thunder-roll of the report, reverberating 
amid the ice, is the death-sentence of the flock. Not 
one escaped ; the distance was too short, the aim too 
sure, the charge of mitrailU too close and heavy. 



A flying shot at a flock of eider duck added a male, 
with snowy crest, and three plump, brown females; 
and a successful approach to a small flock of brent 
made up fifteen birds under the half-deck of the little 
craft. It was almost dark when, with little time to 
spare. La Salle came flying through the fast-corning 
ice, and dashed across the narrow lane of water, be- 
tween the immovable covering of the bar, and the 
advancing, tide-borne ice-islands. 


156 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


The boys had just drawn in their decoys, and 
loaded their sled with the birds taken from the boat, 
besides three geese and a brent, which they had shot 
during his absence. The other boats had already 
landed, and been drawn in far up on the ice. Regnar 
did not know if the centre-wheel had got anything, 
but Davies and Creamer had four geese, five brent, 
and a black duck. Peter had gone home with a sled- 
load of fowl, and, in short, the day had been generally 
satisfactory all round. 

That night, however, all were tired, wet, and half 
blind with the ceaseless glare of the each- day- warmer 
sun; nor did any care to spend in listening to idle 
tales, the hours which might better be given to sleep. 
Such, for more than a week longer, was their experi- 
ence, varied only by a few brief frosts, during which, 
however, the hot coffee made in their lantern-stove 
was unanimously voted just the thing.’^ 

Snow-blindness set in, and Ben had once or 
twice to leave the ice ; while George Waring experi- 
enced several attacks, and had a linen cloth full of 
pulverized clay — the best application known — kept 
in the boat for emergencies. 

By the middle of the next week, a narrow channel 
had opened up to the city ; and Creamer and Davies, 
piling their decoys beside their deserted box, and 
leaving Lund to haul them to the shelter of his 
woods, took the first flood, and paddled briskly home- 
ward, leaving Indian Peter and La Salle in the latter’s 


CHANGES OF THE ICE. 157 

stand; while Hegnar, who had become a proficient 
with the small boat, struck out for the broken ice 
lying to the east. 

Good by, Charley ; when shall I tell them to 
expect you?’^ said Ben, as he started his wheels, 
and the boat, heavily laden with fowl, moved north- 
ward. 

0, at the end of the week, at farthest. Much 
obliged to you for taking those birds. Ill have a 
load Saturday. Good by.^’ 

Good by,^^ said Hughie and Ben, once more ; and 
then they bent to their task, churning into foam the 
rippleless surface, which bore them on its swift but 
unnoticeable tide towards home, leaving behind their 
comrade, his savage companion, and their boyish as- 
sociates, to experience adventures without parallel 
in all the strange hunting-lore of those northern 
seas. 



158 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


CHAPTER IX. 


ADRIFT. 



|B0UT midday, Captain Lnnd drove 
down on the ice to draw up the boat 
'fl owned by his sons; after which he 
was to return a second time for the 
decoys and shooting-box of the home- 
ward-bound sportsmen. The floe was fast wasting 
under the April sun, and his horses^ iron-shod hoofs 
sank deep into the snow-ice, which the night- frosts 
had left at morn as hard as flint. 

He drove with his habitual caution, sounding more 
than one suspicious place with the axe, and at last 
came to a long tide-crack, through which the open 
water showed clear, and which seemed to divide the 
floe as far as the eye could reach. 

I come none too soon,^‘ said the deliberate pilot ; 
and I must warn La Salle not to trust his boat here 
another night.^^ 

^^Well, captain, what think you of the weather?'^ 
asked La Salle, as the shaggy pony and rough sled 
halted near the boat. 

It looks a little cloudy, but I guess nothing more 


ADRIFT, 


159 


than a fog may be expected to-night. You had better 
have your boat ready to get ashore right away ; for the 
ice, though heavy enough, is full of cracks, and will 
go off with the first northerly gale which comes with 
the ebb.^’ 

“ Well, I’ll be getting the boat clear of the ice, and 
you may come for us the last of all.^^ 

And Lund, driving down the bar to his own boat, 
left La Salle busily at work, with axe and shovel, 
clearing away the well-packed ice which had for the 
last three weeks concealed the sides of the goose- 
boat. 

By the time that Lund had hooked on to his own 
boat and driven up again, a large heap of ice and 
snow had been thrown out; but the runners were 
evidently frozen down, and the boat was immov- 
able. 

I shan^t have her clear until you get through with 
Davieses outfit; but I guess we shall be ready for 
you then.^^ 

Lund drove on, dragging the heavy boat up to the 
beach, and then concluded to haul it up the bank, 
above the reach of the increasing tides, and the 
danger of being crushed by the ice. As he cast off 
her rope, he felt a snow-fiake on the back of his hand. 
Before he reached the ice, they were falling thick and 
noiselessly. 

I must hurry ; for there^s no time to lose. The 
tide is just at its turn ; and if the wind comes from 


160 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


the north, the boys will be adrift. Come ; get up, 
Lightfoot. Glang ! Whoop ! Go it ! 

Already the rising wind began to whirl the thick- 
falling flakes in smothering wreaths, and Lund groaned 
in spirit as, following the tracks of his last trip, the 
stanch little horse galloped down the ice. 

1 am afraid this is the end of my vision ; for the 
ice won’t be long in breaking up now, and those boys 
are out in that d — n little craft.” 

And Lund in his perturbation swore and cursed 
after the manner of sailor-men ” generally ; that is, 
when they most need to pray. 

Suddenly the little horse hesitated, relaxed into a 
trot, snorted, reared, and stopped, wheeling half 
around, with the sleigh-runners diagonally across the 
half-eflaced track, which came to an unexpected stop. 
Lund saw at once that another rod would have 
plunged horse and man into the Gulf; the ice-flelds 
had parted, and the boats and their occupants were 
floating away at the mercy of the winds and waves. 

Let’s see,” said Lund ; the wind is nor’-east, and 
the tide will set them in some, too. So, if the gale 
does not shift, that’ll carry them past McQuarrie’s 
Point, and I’ll hail them then, and let them know 
where they are. God grant that they’ve got the boat 
clear ; for once away from the lee of the island, their 
craft would never find land in such a squall as this. 
Come, Lightfoot,” he added, as he sprang upon the 
sled, and brought his leathern reins smartly across 


ADRIFT. 


161 


the animaPs back, there^s four lives on our speed ; 
so go your fastest, poor fellow ! and God help that we 
may not be too late.” 

Meanwhile La Salle and Peter had viewed with no 
little anxiety the sudden overclouding of the sky, or 
rather the heavy curtain of vapor which seemed to 
descend mysteriously from the zenith, rather than to 
gather from beyond the horizon. 

I no like snow ; wind no good this time ; tide too 
high. Spose Lund come, must get boat across crack 
yonder any way.” 

And the one-armed hunter plied the light axe with 
a haste which showed no small amount of anxiety. 

The boat was soon clear, but the snow was falling 
so fast that they could scarcely see to windward at 
all, and no part of the land was visible. Again 
the Indian spoke, and a new cause of anxiety was 
stated. 

Where sposum boys this time ? See boat little 
hile ago. No see any now. They no see hice. 
Spose shootum big gun call them hin?” 

La Salle took the heavy piece, and was about to 
discharge it to leeward, when, from the very air above 
their heads, a voice seemed to call on them by name. 
La Salle, Charley, Peter, ahoy ! ” 

La Salle dropped the butt of his gun, and listened. 
Again the voice sounded apparently nearer than be- 
fore. Charley, Peter, ahoy ! ” 

That voice ole man Lund. I know it ; but what 

11 


162 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


for sposum voice there? Then track go that way. 
Ole man lose way, spose.’’ 

Perhaps he has fallen in, Peter. Come, let’s go.” 

And catching a rope near him, and forgetting to lay 
down the cumbrous gun, Charley ran towards the in- 
cessant and evidently-agonized cries, Peter following 
with an axe and a light fish-spear. 

Scarcely had the runners gone a hundred yards 
before they stopped in dismay. At their feet the ice- 
field ended abruptly, and scarce a hundred yards 
away rose a wall of red sandstone, on whose summit 
stood Lund, peering down into the whirl of snow- 
fiakes. His quick eye espied them, and he shouted 
his last advice. 

Launch your boat at once ; donT wait. Keep 
under the lee. Don’t try to save anything but your 
lives. Keep the wind at your backs in rowing, and 
mind the set of the tide eastward.” 

Ay, ay! I understand. We’re waiting for the 
boys I ” shouted La Salle. 

I can’t hear a word,” called out Lund across the 
rapidly-increasing space. 

Give me that spear, Peter,” said La Salle. 

And snapping off the tiny barbs, he drew from his 
pocket a pencil, and wrote as follows on the slender 
rod of white maple : — 

^^We know our danger, but have no oars; for the 
boys have not returned. Unless they do so soon, 


ADRIFT, 


163 


shall stick to the ice until the weather clears. Look 
for us along the coast if the storm lasts. 

^^Love to all. La Salle.^^ 

Holding up the rod to be seen by Lund, he placed 
it in the muzzle of his piece, and motioned to the 
captain to watch its flight. The pilot stepped behind 
a tree, and La Salle aimed at the face of a large snow- 
drift near him. The report echoed amid the broken 
ledges, the long white arrow sped through the air, 
and stuck in the snow close to the tree. Lund picked 
it up, and bent over it a moment ; then bowed his 
head, as if assuring them of his approval of its 
contents. 

Already the floe had moved into rough water, and 
the short waves raised by the increasing gale began 
to throw their spray far up on the ice. The snow- 
squall gathered fury, and La Salle, waving his hand, 
pointed heavenward, while Peter, knowing but too 
well the danger of their position, sank on his knees, 
and began the simple prayers of his faith. Lund saw 
them fade from view into the sleety veil that hid the 
waste of waters, and groaning in spirit, turned home- 
ward. 

In half an hour no boat on the island can reach 
them, even if men could be found to face certain 
death in a snow-storm out on the open Gulf.’^ 

Peter rose to his feet, apparently almost hopeless. 

Good by. Saint Peter^s ! Good by, Trois Lieues^ 


164 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Creek ! Good by, Lund ! Poor Peter no more 
shootum wild goose here/^ 

Come, Peter, don’t give it up so,” said La Salle. 

We fnust find the boys and get their oars and boat, 
and then we’ll try and see what we can do to get 
ashore.” 

Peter’s eyes brightened a little, and walking around 
the edge of the floe, they came, in the course of 
twenty minutes, to the boys, snugly seated under their 
inverted boat, in a hollow of a large berg, which, until 
that day, had never fioated with the tide. 

Come, boys, this won't do. We’re adrift, and 
getting well out into the Gulf Turn over your boat, 
put everything into her, and let’s try what we can do 
with the big boat.” 

In desperate haste the four took down the light 
craft, threw in the oars and guns, and dashed across 
the quarter of a mile which lay between them and the 
windward side of the ice. In about five minutes 
they reached the large boat ; but all saw at a glance 
that little less than a miracle was needed to carry 
them safe ashore. 

The snow was falling thick and fast, the wind 
driving it in eddying clouds, and amid it could be 
seen at times the white caps of the increasing surges 
as they broke on the edge of the fioe. It was evident 
that it would be madness to attempt to leave their 
present position ; yet all stood silent a moment, as 


ADRIFT, 


165 


if unwilling to be the first to confess the painful 
truth. 

At last La Salle broke the silence. It’s no use, 
boys ; we must stay here all night. And first, let’s 
get both boats down to the berg, for this floe may go 
to pieces any time ; but that is all of twenty feet thick, 
and will stand a good deal yet. Come, pile in the 
decoys and tools, and let’s get under cover as soon as 
we can.” 

The decoys of iron and wood, and even those of fir- 
twigs, of which they had added some three dozen, 
were piled into the boats, and taking hold at the 
painter of the largest, they soon trundled the heavy 
load to the thickest part of the field. 

Sposum we get Davies’s box and ’coys too. Then 
we makum camp, have plenty wood too. Spose field 
break up, loosem sartin,” said Peter. 

You’re right. Come, boys. We don’t know how 
long we may be on this ice-field, and we shall need 
all the shelter we can get, and fuel too.” 

It was nearly an hour before they found the box 
and its pile of decoys, but the box had been furnished 
with rude runners, and being already clear of the ice, 
there was no delay in what was evidently becoming a 
dangerous proximity to the sea ; for that edge of the 
ice was already breaking up, as the rollers broke over 
it, bearing it down with the weight of water. Sun- 
set must have been close at hand when the party 


166 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


arrived, wet, weary, and almost despairing, at the 
berg. 

Now, boys,’^ said La Salle, we must build our 
house at once, for no one can tell how long this storm 
may last. Luckily we have two shovels and two 
axes. Peter and I will cut away the ice, and you two 
will pile up fragments, and clear away the snow and 
rubbish.^^ 

Choosing a crater-like depression on the summit 
of the berg, La Salle laid out a parallelogram about 
eight feet square, and motioning to Peter, proceeded 
to sink a square shaft into the solid ice, which, at first 
a little spongy, rapidly became hard and flinty. 
Aided by the natural shape of the berg, in the course 
of an hour a cavity had been cleared out to the depth 
of about six feet. Over this was inverted the box 
belonging to Davies, and this was kept in place by 
fragments of ice piled around and over it, after which 
the interstices were filled with wet snow, and the 
whole patted into a firm, impermeable mound. 

On the leeward side the wall had been purposely 
left thin, and through this a narrow door, about three 
feet high, was cut into the excavation. Lighting his 
lantern. La Salle stepped inside, finding himself in a 
gloomy but warm room, about nine feet high in the 
walls, and eight feet square. Taking the dryest of the 
fir decoys, he cut the cords which bound them to- 
gether, and laying the icy branches of their outer 
covering on the bare ice, soon formed a non-conduct- 


ADRIFT. 


167 


ing carpet of fir-twigs, of which the upper layers were 
nearly dry. 

The whole party then entered, carefully brushing 
from their clothes and boots as much of the snow as 
possible, and, seating themselves, for the first time 
rested from incessant exertion amid the furious pelt- 
ings of a driving north-east snow-storm. 

La Salle motioned to the rest to place their guns in 
a nook near the door, and taking the boiler of the lan- 
tern, filled it with snow, and placed it above the 
fiame. Regnar, noticing this, went out and brought 
in the rude chest containing the remnants of their 
little stock of coffee, and the basket with what was 
left of the day^s lunch. 

In the former were found a few matches, about a 
half pound of coffee, perhaps a pound of sugar, a box 
and a half of sardines, and two or three dozen ship^s 
hard-bread. In the basket were left several slices 
of bread, a junk of corned beef weighing about two 
pounds, and some apples and doughnuts. 

In a short time the tiny boiler, which held about a 
pint, was full of boiling water, to which La Salle 
added some coffee, and soon each had a small but 
refreshing draught, which helped wonderfully to 
restore their usual warmth and vigor of circulation. 
Prom the lunch-basket, whose contents had remained 
untouched all day, a slight meal was taken, and then 
the remainder of the provisions put carefully away. 


168 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


although a second cup of coffee was left preparing in 
the lantern for possible contingencies. 

La Salle looked at his watch — it was nearly eight 
o^clock. 

We are now well down off Point Prime, and are 
probably under the lee of other ice, as we no longer 
feel the tossing of the sea. The boats are all ready 
for use, but it is not likely we shall need them to- 
night, unless, indeed — Let us hold a council of war, 
and decide at once on our course of action.^^ 



THE COUNCIL. 


169 


CHAPTER X. 

THE COUNCIL. — PASSING THE CAPE. 

RAWING his coat tightly around him, 
La Salle first drew aside the rubber 
blanket which had been hung up for a 
door, and crawled out into the storm. 
The snow still fell heavily, but although 
the wind blew very hard, few drifts were formed, 
owing to the wet and heavy nature of the large, soft 
fiakes, although at times a fiurry of sharp, stinging 
hail rattled against the boats and the roof of the ice- 
chamber. 

As nearly as he could judge, the wind was north- 
east, or perhaps a point or two south of that, for at 
times there came warmer gusts, as if the wind veered 
to a milder quarter. The roar of the sea could be 
plainly heard, but evidently far up to windward, and 
there was little doubt that they need have no appre- 
hensions from that source at present. 

Re-entering he found his friends anxiously awaiting 
his report on the aspect of things outside, and he 
plunged at once into the gist of the matter before 
them. 



170 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


I see no reason to expect any change in our situ- 
ation until the tide turns, which will be in about an 
hour. I can notice no change in the wind, nor do I 
think we have shifted our relative position to its 
course. Should the storm decrease towards morning, 
we shall probably find ourselves up the straits, in the 
vicinity of the capes. Only one danger can possibly 
assail us, and that is being ground to pieces on the 
New Brunswick shore. We must keep a watch to- 
night, commencing at about twelve o’clock. Regnar, 
will you keep the first watch of an hour and a half, 
and then call me ? ” 

Yes, sir; all right. I wake any time, and I know 
what ^ nip ’ means. We must not get caught napping 
if that happens.” 

Can’t we get ashore and off of this horrid floe, if 
we strike on the other shore ? ” asked Waring, a little 
dolorously. 

I’m afraid not, my dear George. The straits here, 
nearly thirty miles wide, converge to about twelve at 
the capes ; and this terrible gale, although we feel it 
scarcely at all in the heart of this berg, will drive us 
with the rising ebb, at a velocity little less than ten 
miles an hour, through that narrow, choked pass, bor- 
dered by the ice-cliffs which form, on the shallows 
every winter, to the height of from ten to twenty feet 
above the water.” 

Should this berg be driven against the verge of 
these immovable cliffs, our only resource will be to 


THE COUNCIL, 


171 


take to our boats and retreat farther off on the floes ; 
for a single mishap in crossing the terrible chasm 
which borders the irresistible course of this great ice- 
stream, would consign us all to irremediable destruc- 
tion. I propose that we thank God for his mercies 
thus far, and implore his aid in the future. Then we 
may lie down secure in His protection, and gather 
new strength for whatever may be before us.^^ 

Thus saying. La Salle knelt, and in solemn but 
unfaltering tones repeated the short but inimitable 
prayer which embodies the needs of every petitioner. 
Peter crossed himself at the close, and broke out, — 

I feel Traid, all time till now. I hear Lund see 
ghost. I think we never get back. Now I feel sure 
all go right, and I worry like woman no more.’' 

Thank you, Peter. I shall depend on good ser- 
vice from you ; and I may say that I have little doubt 
of landing somewhere to-morrow, if the weather 
clears so that we can see. Come, Regnie, get the 
rest of those dry decoys out of the boat, and we’ll turn 
in for two or three hours, when you must take the 
first watch.” 

Regnar brought in about twenty bundles more of 
fir-twigs, which were piled against the wall so as to 
form a kind of slanting pillow, against which the party 
might rest their backs and heads in a half-sitting pos- 
ture, without being chilled by the ice-wall of their 
narrow dormitory. Waring drew his seal-skin cap 
over his ears, turned up his wide coat-collar of the 


172 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


same costly fur, and placed himself next to Peter, 
who, as the worst clad of the party, wrapped himself 
in his dingy blanket, and seated himself at the back 
of the hut. Eegnar, in his Canadian capote, was next, 
and La Salle with diflSculty found room between him- 
self and the door for his faithful dog, whose natural 
warmth had already dried his long fur, and made him 
a very welcome bed-fellow under such circumstances. 
Thus disposed, it was not long before they all fell 
asleep; and at twelve o^clock. La Salle, only half 
awake, gave Regnar his watch, and saw the resolute 
boy go out into the storm to commence his lonely 
vigil. 

Scarcely feeling that he had more than got fairly to 
sleep again, he was again awakened by Regnar, who 
said in a low voice, Tis two o^clock, master ; but I 
would not waken you if I did not think that the floe 
has shifted sides, for we are no longer under a lee. I 
hear too, at times, cracking and grinding of the ice, 
and I think we are not far from shore.^^ 

La Salle hurriedly went out. The wind blew into 
his very teeth, as he emerged from the narrow door; 
but it seemed no warmer or colder, and the snow fell 
much the same as before. Near them, through the 
storm, another berg of equal height with their own 
seemed to appear at times, and the crash of falling 
and breaking ice arose on all sides. Still, for an hour 
nothing could be seen, until between three and four 
the snow gave place to a sleety rain, and the watchers 


PASSING THE CAPE. 


173 


saw that they were passing with frightful rapidity 
a line of jagged ice- cliffs, not two hundred yards 
away. La Salle called his companions, and they 
watched for nearly an hour in constant expectation 
of having to take to their boat. 

The pressure was tremendous, and on every side 
floes heaped up their debris on each other, and pinna- 
cles forced into collision were ground into common 
ruin. Now shut out from view in darkness and 
storm, and now close at hand in the multitudinous 
shiftings of the ice, the immovable and gigantic but- 
tresses of the ice-pool ground into powder acres of 
level floe, and bergs containing hundreds of thousands 
of tons of ice. Along that terrible line of impact 
rolled and heaved a chaos of mealy sludge and 
gigantic fragments, while from time to time a mass of 
many tons would be thrown, like a child’s plaything, 
high up amid the debris already heaped along the 
inaccessible shore. Half a dozen times the startled 
voyagers seized their boat to drag her down from the 
berg, as the shore-ice gnawed into the sides of their 
narrowing ice-field. 

At last a move appeared inevitable. The distance 
between their refuge and the shore was less than 
fifty yards, and in the gray of the morning they saw 
castle after castle crushed off by this fearful attrition, 
while high above their heads rose the ruin-strewed 
and inhospitable ice-foot. 

Stand by, lads, to move the boats, when I give 


174 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


the word. Look, Regnar ! What is that above the 
cliff?'' 

“ That a light-house, I think. Guess that on Cape 
Torment. No light there in winter ; not many vessels 
here then." 

Yes, we are passing the capes, and not a mile dis- 
tant is the hostelry of Tom Allan. Well, we can't 
land, that's certain ; and as we can't, I hope we shall 
soon get into a wider channel. How the trees fly 
past ! Ah, here the pressure lessens ; we shall soon 
be above the narrows, and if the tide only serves — 
Good Heaven ! what is that ? " 

An eddy seemed to catch the floe as he spoke, and 
whirling like a top, it brought between it and the 
shore a fantastically- shaped berg, at least twenty- 
five feet high. The nip " was but momentary ; but 
the lofty shaft and its floating base cracked like a 
mirror, the huge fabric fell into ruins, and one of its 
pieces, striking the smaller boat, crushed it into utter 
uselessness. 

La Salle viewed the wreck of his little bark rue- 
fully a moment. 

“ Well, the worst is over, and we are fortunate in 
losing so little, for it might have struck the larger 
boat, and that would have been indeed a loss. Come, 
boys, we have passed Cape Torment ; let us pick some 
of those birds and get breakfast, for we shan't land 
this day, with an easterly gale hurrying the ice-pack 
thus to the north-west." 


TAKING AN INVENTORY. 


175 


CHAPTER XI. 

TAKING AN INVENTORY. — SETTING UP THE 
STOVE. 

ETER was already picking a dead goose, 
and Regnar and Waring were about to 
follow his example, when La Salle in- 
terposed. 

Let us skin the birds, for it may 
be that we shall be unable to land for several days, 
and if so, we shall need all the covering we can get, 
for this thaw is sure to be followed by a severe frost 
or two.^’ 

Sposum tide turn, ice lun down to capes, then get 
ashore,^^ said Peter, confidently. 

La Salle drew out his watch. 

It was high tide at four o’clock, and it is now 
nearly seven. Peter, just climb to the top of the 
berg, and see how we drift.’’ 

Peter dropped his half-picked bird, ascended with 
eager agility, lined another projection of the floe 
with some object on the New Brunswick shore, 
seemed puzzled, looked more carefully, and then 
slowly descended, apparently sad and disheartened. 



176 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Well, Peter, how is it? said La Salle, cheerfully. 

No good ; ice lun north-west, against tide ; no get 
ashore to-day,’^ was the reluctant answer. 

Regnar seemed little surprised, but Waring turned 
almost white with anxiety and disappointment. 

I thought as much,^’ said La Salle, quietly. With 
such a gale as this, the tide, whose rise and fall does 
not average four feet on this coast, often seems to run 
in one direction, and even to remain at flood for a day 
or two ; but even if it did fall, this floe carries sail 
enough with this wind to make from two to three 
miles an hour against it. We shall probably have 
easterly and southerly winds until to-morrow, and 
must now be well up to Cape Bauld, and about mid- 
channel, say twelve miles from shore.’’ 

Why not try land, then, with the boat? We 
four could surely make twelve mile in the course 
of the day,” asked Regnar, somewhat impatiently for 
him. 

How deep is the snow and slush now, Regnie ? ” 
asked the leader of the little party, calmly. 

’Bout knee-deep on level ice,” said the boy. 

Come up here, all of you,” said La Salle, ascend- 
ing the lookout. 

The three followed, and found themselves scarcely 
able to stand at times, when a fiercer blast than usual 
swept up the strait, howling through the tortuous and 
intricate ravines and valleys of the ice-fields. 

Can we cross such a place as that ? ” asked La 


TAKING AN INVENTOR V, 


177 


dalle, pointing to where an edge of a large ice-field, 
suddenly lifted by the wedge-like brink of another, be- 
gan a majestic and resistless encroachment, with the 
incalculable power communicated by the vast weight 
pressing behind it. 

A body of ice, at least a yard in thickness, ran up 
a steep ascent of five or six feet, broke with its own 
weight, pressed on again up the steeper incline, broke 
again, and so continued to ascend and break off until 
a ridge a score of feet high, crested with glittering 
fragments of broken ice, interrupted the passage be- 
tween the two fioes. 

Regnar was silent, and then said, resolutely, — 

We can try, at least.’’ 

^^Well said, Regnie,” cried La Salle; ^^but look 
again yonder.” He pointed to a small lead of open 
water bounded with abrupt shores, which were sur- 
rounded with rounded balls and water-worn frag- 
ments of ice. A berg, losing its balance, fell with a 
loud splash, sank, and came to the surface with a 
bound, covering the water with wet snow and the 
ruins of the shattered pinnacles. Can we also pass 
the heavy drags of the drifted snow, the baflSing 
resistance of fioating sludge, and such dangers as 
that ? ” 

Turning, he descended under the lee of the shelter, 
where he was soon followed by the rest. 

What spose we do, then?” asked Peter. We 
stay this place to die of cold and hunger ? ” 


178 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Peter, I’m ashamed of you,” said La Salle. Die, 
do you say, when we have food, shelter, fire, and 
covering? We must, indeed, stay here until the 
winds and sea give us a better chance to escape to 
the shore. Meanwhile let us try to make ourselves 
comfortable.” 

Accordingly the birds — six geese and eight brent 
— were divested of their skins, which furnished 
patches of warm covering, of from two to four 
square feet. The sinews of the legs were divided 
into threads, and, using a small sail-needle which he 
carried to clean the tube of his gun. La Salle pro- 
ceeded to show Waring how to make a large robe, 
placing the larger skins in the middle, and forming a 
border of the smaller ones. 

Meanwhile Regnar had cleared the snow from a 
space about twelve feet square in front of the door, 
and, with fragments of ice, cemented with wet snow, 
formed a walled enclosure which kept off the wind ; 
and Peter, splitting two or three of the wooden 
decoys, soon built a fire, over which a pair of geese, 
spitted on sticks, were narrowly watched and sedu- 
lously turned, while La Salle made a cup of his care- 
fully-treasured coffee. 

As they sat eating their rude meal, Regnar broke 
the silence ; for it may well be believed that no great 
hilarity pervaded the little party. 

As we not know how long we may be adrift, I 


TAKING AN INVENTORY. 


179 


think we better take ^count stock. See how much 
wood, provisions, powder, shot, everyting.^^ 

You are right, Regnie ; we will set to work at 
once. I can tell how much food we have now. We 
have a little bread, coffee, sugar, and a tin of sar- 
dines, which I think we had better reserve for possi- 
ble emergencies, also six candles, which we must not 
waste. I have a pound canister of powder untouched, 
and nearly half a pound more in my flask, with about 
five pounds of shot, and three dozen shot-cartridges 
of different sizes, say sixty charges in all. Besides 
that, my rifle lies in the boat, loaded, with a small 
bag of bullets, and a quarter-pound flask of rifle 
powder.^^ 

said Waring, have thirty cartridges for my 
breech-loader, and a few of the caps for them, in a 
box in my pocket.’’ 

I have nearly a pound powder, some wads, caps, 
and ’bout two pounds of shot left,” said Regnar. 

Spose I got half pound powder in old horn, box 
caps mos’ full, an’ tree poun’ goose shot,” said Peter. 

We have, then, somewhere between one hundred 
and fifty and two hundred rounds of ammunition, and 
provisions for a week, allowing ourselves no addition 
to the present stock. Count the decoys, Regnie, while 
I look up our tools, &c.” 

Regnie reported forty wooden decoys, twelve of 
sheet iron, eight of cork and canvas, and twelve 
wooden duck decoys. Besides these, there were 


180 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


still untouched a dozen bunches of fir and spruce 
twigs, like those used in covering the fioor of the 
ice-hut. In addition to these, La Salle found one 
large boat, the broken smaller one, a pair of oars, a 
pair of rowlocks, a short boat-hook, baler, two lead- 
lines and leads, two shovels, and two axes. 

We are well provided for a week of such weather 
as this, and have only to fear a sudden change to ex- 
treme cold. I therefore think the first thing for us to 
do, is to finish our feather quilt, enlarge our hut, and 
get up a stove as soon as possible. 

A general expression of incredulity showed itself 
on the faces of the trio, which La Salle evidently in- 
terpreted rightly, and therefore hastened to explain 
himself. 

Of course we must first make our stove. 

Why, Charley, what on earth can we make our 
stove of?^^ said Waring. 

Sheet iron, of course.’^ 

But where is the sheet iron to come from? We 
haven^t any here — have we ? 

Ah, I know twelve decoys sheet-iron, only they 
painted.^^ 

Yes, Regnie, you have guessed it. Those decoys 
are about as good sheet iron as is made, and we can 
burn the paint off, I guess. Five of them will furnish 
a cylinder, conical stove, fifteen inches diameter, and 
as many high, and five more will give us about seven 


SETTING UP THE STOVE, 


181 


feet of two and a half-inch stove-pipe. Bring in the 
decoys and axes, and well get it up at once.^^ 

Come on, boys,^^ said Waring, whose spirits had 
risen perceptibly since breakfast. Well have a 
hotel here yet, and supply passengers by the mail- 
boat with hot dinners.^^ 

Sposum me have knife, I help you. Leave waglion 
home yesterday for Aould woman make baskets, said 
Peter, ruefully. 

I guess we shall manage with the axes, although 
we need a knife like your Indian draw-knife. Reach 
me a large decoy, and the heaviest of those cod- 
leads.’^ 

La Salle had already laid out ” with the point of 
his penknife the shape of one of the sections of his 
proposed stove upon one of the decoys from which 
Regnar had already removed the iron leg, which was 
about six inches long, sharp pointed, and intended to 
be driven into the ice. Each section was twenty 
inches long, eight and a half inches wide at the lower 
end, and two and a half at the upper ; and luckily the 
outline of the goose gave very nearly this shape, with 
little trimming, which was effected by laying the iron 
on the lead, applying the edge of the smaller axe as 
a chisel, and striking on its head with the large. The 
laps were then turned ” over the edge of an axe with 
a billet of wood cut from the old cross-bars of Davies’s 
shooting-box, which were young ash saplings. Then 
the pieces were put together, the laps solidly beaten 


182 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


down, and despite a little irregularity of shape, the job 
was not a bad one. 

Five other decoys furnished as many parallelograms 
of seventeen by eight and a half, which made good 
two and three quarter inch pipe, and afforded nearly 
seven feet in length when affixed to the cylinder. 

It was nearly four o^clock when the work was thus 
far completed. 

If we only had a flat stone to set it on,’^ said 
Waring. 

I should not despair of that even,’^ said La Salle, 
if we dared look around on some of the older floes ; 
but we shall have to do without one for a day or two, 
I think.^^ 

Peter make glate, three, two minutes, only glate 
burn up every day or two ; and hastening out, he 
returned with a very large decoy, which, on account 
of its portentous size, had been made the leader of 
the set when arranged on the ice. 

With the axe he broke off the head, and then taking 
six of the ten iron legs, he drove them two or three 
inches deep into the tough spruce log, until the spikes 
surrounded it like the points of a crown. La Salle had 
re-riveted the four others at equal distances around the 
base of the stove, while Regnar had removed a part 
of the snow on the roof, and cutting a large aperture 
through the bottom of the inverted box, nailed over it 
the eleventh decoy, through which a roughly- cut hole 
gave admittance to the chimney. 


SETTING UP THE STOVE. 


183 


The fir-branches were then removed to the yard, 
and covered from the still falling rain with the rubber 
blanket, while all hands joined in enlarging their quar- 
ters. The ice was singularly hard and clear, and con- 
tained no cracks or other sources of weakness. By 
sunset the lower part of the hut was enlarged from 
eight feet square to twelve feet diameter, a circular 
shape being given to the excavation, so that a contin- 
uous berth, about two feet wide and a yard high, ran 
completely around the floor of the hut, or rather to 
within about four feet of the door on either side. The 
fir-twigs were replaced in the berths and around the 
floor, leaving a bare space of nearly four feet diameter 
in the centre. Here a slight hollow was made, to 
contain the novel grate, and the stove was placed in 
position over it. 

Waring brought in a shovelful of embers from the 
dying fire outside, under whose ashes a goose, swathed 
in sea-weed, was preparing for supper, and Peter fol- 
lowed him with some small chunks of wood. The 
stove drew beautifully, and but one drawback could 
be discovered — it made the atmosphere within too 
warm for comfort, at the then temperature. No 
matter that,’’ said Peter, prophetically ; we glad see 
plenty fire here to-morrow night.” 

It was nearly midnight when the four ate supper 
and gave the fragments to their faithful dog. Before 
sleeping. La Salle stepped outside the hut. The wind 
had lessened greatly, but still blew mildly warm from 


184 ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 

a southerly direction. “We must now be somewhere 
off Shediac, but I see no open water, and the pack 
is as close as ever. We shan^t get down to the capes 
with this wind, and to-morrow at this time, if the wind 
holds, we shall be up to Point Escumenac. I don’t 
care to think what next ; but if, as Peter says, we are 
to have cold, westerly weather, we must move off into 
the open Gulf and then — Well, we shall endure 
what it pleases God to send us.^^ 

Notwithstanding their fatigue, all were awake at 
daylight the next morning, and immediately the whole 
party ascended their lookout. The wind still blew in 
very nearly the same direction, but with little force, 
and at noon, as the party sat down to their first meal 
for the day, no land could be plainly determined, and 
for an hour the utmost calm prevailed, with an un- 
clouded sun. The pack was still closed, however, 
with the exception of two or three small openings, in 
which were seen a seal and several flocks of moniac 
ducks, known on the Atlantic coast as “ South-South- 
erlies.^^ The former could not be approached, but 
Peter got two shots at the ducks as they gyrated over 
the berg, and killed three at one time and four at 
another, which were duly skinned, and the bodies 
consigned to the “ meat-safe,^’ a hole in the ice near 
the door. 

This meal tasted a little better than the former 
ones, the birds being seasoned with salt procured from 
sea- water by boiling — a slow process, which La Salle 


A SUMPTUOUS MEAL. 


185 


promised to make easier when the next frost set in. 
The bird-skins had been carefully cleaned from fat, 
and sewed into two blankets about seven feet by five 
each, and stretched on the ice with the flesh side up- 
permost, were rubbed with salt and ashes, and then 
exposed to the sun, receiving considerable benefit 
thereby. 

For supper, a soup of fowls thickened with grated 
biscuit was eaten with hearty relish by all but Waring, 
who claimed to have eaten too much at dinner- 
time, although La Salle fancied that he looked flushed 
and pale by turns. 

Do you feel sick, George ? said La Salle, anx- 
iously, when the others were temporarily absent from 
the hut. 

0, no, Charley ; donT fuss about me. I’m all 
right, only I’ve eaten a little too much of that fat meat, 
and taken scarcely any exercise,” was the reply. 

Well, George, don’t fail to let me know at once if 
you do feel sick, for my stock of medicines is limited, 
and I must do my doctoring during the first stages of 
the disease,” said La Salle, gravely. 

Yes, I should judge so, doctor,” laughed Waring; 
and, turning to the fire, he placed another stick under 
the cylinder, as if suffering from a chill. 

At an hour before sunset they saw on their left 
hand, and, as nearly as they could judge, about twelve 
miles away, the high headland of Escumenac. The 
pack opened a little, for the wind had now been blow- 


186 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


ing for about three hours from the west, the air was 
very perceptibly colder, and the standing pools on 
the ice began to freeze. Under Le Salle’s direc- 
tion, Regnar cut a hole in the ice, which would hold 
about four pailsful of salt water, and filled it to over- 
flowing, while Peter cut up a dozen of the decoys into 
junks three inches square, and piled them near the 
door. 

As they entered the hut, they found Waring shiv- 
ering over the fire. I am afraid, Charley,” stam- 
mered he, that I am going to be very sick, for I 
can’t keep warm to save my life.” 


DOCTORING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 187 


CHAPTER XII. 

DOCTORING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. — AN ANX- 
IOUS NIGHT. — FROZEN UP. 

A SALLE examined the condition of 
his patient, and found his tongue 
furred, his pulse quick and feverish, 
his tonsils badly inflamed, and the 
chills alternating with flushes of fever 
heat. The mind of the patient, too, was anxious ; for 
at the close of the brief examination he said, I hope 
I shanT be sick, for there isn’t much show for me out 
here on the ice.” 

And why not, George ? Although I hope you will 
have nothing more than a bad cold, yet I think I could 
cure a pretty sick man out here.” 

But we have no medicines, or beds, or food, or 
anything, scarcely.” 

What nonsense! We are far more comfortably 
housed than the poor Esquimaux, and even Peter 
there lives no warmer than we do — do you, Peter?” 

“ Womegun better than this: but this place very 
comforble. I no fraid freeze here.” 

Well, George, I must turn doctor now, and try to 



188 ADRIFT IN THE I C E-FI ELDS. 

stop this cold ; for as yet it is no worse. Peter, make 
a fire outside, and heat the iron bailer full of salt wa- 
ter. Eegnie, reach me my powder-horn and the little 
tin cup of the lantern.^^ 

Pouring four drachms of gunpowder into the cup, 
he filled it about half full of water, and setting it near 
the hot coals under the red hot cylinder, soon dis- 
solved the explosive, forming an inky fluid. From 
the ammunition bucket he drew a small phial, which 
had been filled with olive oil, and pouring some hot 
water and a little shot into it, he soon cleaned it for 
the reception of the fluid, which lie filtered through 
several thicknesses of his woollen gun-cover. About 
a fluid ounce of a rather dirty-looking solution of salt- 
petre resulted, to which a little sugar was added. 

“ Here we have,^^ said the man of drugs, some 
three drachms of saltpetre in solution, of which, by 
and by, you may take about one sixth, letting it gargle 
your throat going down. Peter, is the water hot ? ” 

^^Yes, broder, water boilin^ hover. What do with 
him now ? 

I want to soak his feet ; but what shall we do it 
in? I can fill my seal-skin boots, but they would be 
awkward.’’ 

There’s the ammunition bucket,” suggested 
Regnie. 

That was made to hold peas and such like, and 
leaks like a sieve.” 


DOCTORING UNDER DIFFICULTIES, 189 


“ Put the rubber blanket around it/^ interposed the 
patient. 

“ ThaPs the idea/’ said La Salle. And hanging up 
one of the bird-skin rugs in its place, the mackin- 
tosh ” was drawn and carefully knotted around the rim 
of the shaky receptacle. Into this the hot water was 
poured, and being duly tempered to a safe degree of 
heat. Waring removed his boots and stockings, and, 
seated on a couple of decoys, bathed his feet and 
ankles for about fifteen minutes. 

In the mean time, the portion of the sleeping-room 
farthest from the door, was carefully fitted with dry 
twigs and one of the bird -skin coverlets, and the lad’s 
stockings were thoroughly dried at the stove until they 
felt warm and comfortable. Taking one of the dis- 
carded cotton-fiannel shooting- gowns, duly warmed 
at the fire, La Salle and Regnar carefully and ener- 
getically dried and rubbed Waring’ s extremities, now 
warmed and suffused with blood drawn from the over- 
taxed blood-vessels of the head and body, after which 
his warmed and dried foot-gear were replaced, and he 
was tucked away in his berth. 

Does your chest pain you at all, George ? ” asked 
his attendant, as he drew the thick feather covering 
over the sick boy. 

No ; but my throat does a little. It feels much 
better, though, than it did.” 

La Salle thought a moment, then drew from a little 
cavity in the wall near the door a small junk of bird- 


190 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


fat, which he melted in the tin cup. I will rub your 
throat with goose-grease. It is a great favorite of the 
old women, and will keep the air from your tender 
skin, if it doesn’t relieve the soreness of the inflamed 
membranes.” So saying, he rubbed in the warm, soft 
fat with his hands, covering the skin above the bron- 
chial tubes and the soft parts of the throat with the 
penetrating unguent, then fastening a turn of his list 
gun-cover around his throat, he replaced the cover- 
ing, and taking his cap, went out into the night air, 
and seeking the lookout, glanced eagerly out over the 
waste of ice. 

The night was clear and cold, with only an occa- 
sional puff of wind from the westward ; but the tern • 
perature was falling fast, and the snow- crust broke 
under the foot with a sound ominous of biting cold. 
All around was ice, and even if the light-houses along 
that coast were lighted in winter, it is doubtful if the 
party were near enough to land to see any except that 
of Point Escumenac, which at noon bore north-west 
and about flfteen miles away. Since that time, the 
drift of the pack, at nightfall evidently making east- 
ward, or rather north-east, had probably increased the 
distance to nearly forty miles. 

La Salle surveyed the wild scene around him — the 
pillars hewn from vast masses of eternal ice by the 
shock of fearful collision, the slow action of the sun, 
the corrosion of the waves, and the melting kisses of 
the rain, and thus fashioned into fantastic mockeries 


DOCTORING UNDER DIFFICULTIES, 191 

of fane, monument, tower, and spire, even by daylight 
were strangely wonderful, but under the mystic night 
and the weird light of the stars, seemed like icy 
statues, in whose chill bosoms were incarnated the 
genii of desolation and death. 

Ay ! thus we move, helpless, lost, and beyond the 
aid of man, convoyed by a fleet of fantasies into a 
sailless sea, and to an unknown fate. Well I know 
that by to-morrow, myriads of eyes will watch for 
signs of our presence from Canseau to Gaspe, and 
on both shores of St. Jean ; but they will look in vain. 
A week hence they will hear of our disappearance in 
Baltimore, and Paulie will know her own heart at last. 
I may not regret this if I escape with life, for well I 
know we are like to come back as men from the 
dead.’^ 

Why do you speak of death. La Salle said a 
voice in good and even polished French ; and La Salle, 
turning, found that Regnar stood beside him. An air 
of education which he had never noticed before 
seemed to pervade this youth, who spoke English al- 
most execrably, and had shown little more than a pass- 
able knowledge of the coast of Labrador, and a keen 
insight into all the varied craft of hunter and fisher- 
man. 

was only thinking,^’ said La Salle, evasively, 
speaking in the same language. But how is it that 
you, who know French and German, speak English 
so badly 


192 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


You will know some time, but not to-night; al- 
though I may tell you this — that I shall receive from 
you the greatest good that man will ever confer, or at 
least the realization of some long- cherished desire. 
God grant that it may end my long search for him, 
although my life end with it.^^ 

Of whom do you speak ? asked La Salle, im- 
pressed with his manner. 

Regnar don’t care talk now. Nights getting cold ; 
so come in and look at sick boy. Ha, ha, ha 1 You’ve 
been tinman, tailor, cook, navigator, and now you’re 
doctor. Come on ! ” And La Salle almost doubted 
his own sanity as he followed the old Regnie of his 
Labrador voyage down the side of the mound, where 
a moment ago an unsuspected, hidden fire had re- 
vealed itself 

Just as they were about to enter the little outer 
enclosure. La Salle laid his hand on the arm of his 
companion. Regnie, don’t for your life let the others 
know that I have doubt of our safety ; and keep up 
poor Waring’s spirits if you cam” 

Cheerfully and firmly the answer came back in good 
Parisian, I will not fail you. I have no fear now, 
and the life of the ice is nothing new to me. When 
the winds have done their work, and we no longer 
look for the loom of the cliffs, or the hazy purple of 
the distant forests, I will take my turn in your place.” 
And grasping La Salle’s hand, Orloff stepped into the 
chamber. 


DOCTORING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 193 


How you do, George ? Here’s the doctor again,” 
and La Salle, with no little anxiety, approached his 
patient. 

I have no chills now, but my throat is still quite 
sore, and I have some fever, I think.” 

La Salle laid his hand on the boy’s forehead. It 
was parched with fever, but a close search failed to 
discover any signs of dangerous throat symptoms. 
He looked at his watch. 

It is now ten o’clock. You may take another 
dose of the nitre, and gargle your throat well with a 
little of it. Are you warm enough ? ” 

Yes, thank you. I guess I can sleep now, and 
you had better go to bed too. Good night ! ” 

Good night, George. You’ll be better to-mor- 
row.” 

And placing a few billets in the cylinder. La Salle 
rolled himself up in his heavy coat, drew off his long 
moccason boots, and placing his stockinged feet where 
the heat of the fire would dry the insensible perspi- 
ration they had gathered during the day, he prepared 
for a short nap. 

Regnie, keep up the fire for a couple of hours, 
and then call me, for it grows cold, and we must not 
let George get chilled again, on any account.” 

About one. La Salle awoke to find Regnie still 
awake, and keeping up a good fire, although he used 
the wood but sparingly. The cold had evidently 
increased, and La Salle drew on his boots, which had 
13 


194 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


improved much in drying. As Regnar turned to his 
berth, he said, — 

It cold to-night, colder to-morrow, and warm 
to-morrow night. Then we be in the open Gulf, and 
the warm winds will come again.” 

George slept but restlessly ; and once more during 
the night a small dose of the sirup was administered. 
About three o’clock, Peter awoke, and said, — 

*^Why no let Peter watch? No doctor, but keep 
good fire and let you sleep.” 

Well, Peter,” said La Salle, I shall be glad to 
rest ; but you must be careful of the wood, and put in 
as little as will keep up a blaze, for we have not a 
great deal, and that not of a very good kind.” 

Me know no woods here, and Peter will not waste 
any, you better blieve.” 

Laying his hand on George’s head, he felt a slight 
moisture ; and covering him still more closely, he lay 
down with a hopeful heart, and, wearied in mind and 
body, slept until nearly nine the next morning. 

Regnar was broiling the dismembered body of a 
goose at the rude grate, and at that moment was 
arranging on a slender spit alternate portions of the 
heart, liver, and fat of the bird. After being seasoned 
with salt, this was rapidly rotated in front of the fire 
by Peter, who watched with much interest the prep- 
aration of three similar sticks. 

La Salle sprang to his feet, and first hastened to 
Waring, who professed himself cured, and wanted to 
get up. 


DOCTORING UNDER DIFFICULTIES, 195 

No, George; you must lie abed to-day, and accept 
a cup of very weak coffee and some bread. I shall let 
you eat nothing. You see,’^ he continued, as the boy 
broke into a fit of coughing, that the cold has not 
left you yet, and I have no doubt you feel some pain 
in your chest now.^^ 

Yes, it has gone into my lungs a little, but will 
wear off soon, I guess. It always does at home.^^ 

Well, we can^t risk anything here ; so I’ll get your 
coffee, and after breakfast, if Peter will get me a little 
pitch off the branches. I’ll make something for your 
cough.” 

The birds were well cooked and quite appetizing ; 
and as he rose Peter handed La Salle a small handful 
of Canada balsam, which in the shape of small tears 
clung to many of the larger branches on the fioor. 

That enough ? If not, Peter get more.” 

That will do — thank you, Peter.” 

But the eye of the speaker caught a look directed 
by Regnar at the roof of the hut, from whence exuded 
a few drops of a blacker resin. 

Yes, I see Stockholm tar ; that will help the cure 
much.” 

Placing the two in an iron spoon, rudely made from 
a fragment of the decoys, they were gently melted, 
and a small quantity of sugar added, with enough 
powdered biscuit to enable the mass to be rolled into 
little balls. 

You must chew these and swallow the tar-water 


196 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


thus formed, and finally the resins themselves, and 
you will find your cough much loosened by to-mor- 
row.’^ 

Sposum you no want boat-hook, me make draw- 
knife of him. He steel, I s’pose.^^ 

Yes, Peter. The spike is very fine steel, I 
believe, as I told the blacksmith I wanted it liglit and 
sharp. If you want it you can have it ; that is, if you 
feel sure you can make a knife.^^ 

Mos^ all Ingin make own knife. You never see 
Ingin knife in store. In old time old men say Ingin 
make work-knife, war-knife, arrow-head, axe, all ting 
he want when can’t buy. Me make best knife in 
tribe Tore me lose arm. Some one must strike for me, 
an’ I turn iron now.” 

Going out, he brought in several fragments of hard 
wood, and the spike or head of the boat-hook. 
Making a hot fire, he placed the spike therein, and 
sinking the edge of an axe in one of the decoys, got 
Regnar to strike for him. 

“ Now no strike hard — strike quick and heasy, 
right that place every time ; ” and taking the glowing 
iron from the fire, he laid it on the light anvil. 

It was wonderful to see how, like one who uses a 
trip-hammer, he drew the iron under the rapidly-plied 
axe, until the round spike was a narrow, thin blade 
about six inches in length. Then shifting the angle of 
the iron a little, he directed Regnar how to beat down 
one side to an edge, and lastly how to curve the flat 


DOCTORING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 197 

of the blade a little at the point, or rather end. Then, 
producing several small pieces of lime and sandstone, 
found among the earth kept in the boats, for the use 
of snow-blind gunners, he proceeded to rub down the 
edge to something like fitness for use. 

After this he carefully tempered the blade, and 
with a penknife cut out a handle, in which he 
inserted it, lashing the two firmly together with 
twine made from one of the cod-lines. Long and 
patient labor with his few pebbles, and the leather 
of his cowhide boots, brought the waghon at length to 
a keen, smooth edge ; and great was Peter^s joy when 
he again carried at his belt a tool so indispensable to 
the Indian hunter and workman. 

That day, the fourth of their drift, brought little 
change in their position — the icebergs frozen together, 
were drifting, if at all, in one vast body. Towards 
night a north-w^est wind sprang up, and the thermom- 
eter, had the party possessed such an instrument, 
would probably have registered at least —10°. A 
watch was kept all night to keep the fire replen- 
ished, and all the appliances used to keep out the 
cold air, and economize heat, scarcely kept the tem- 
perature up as high as +32°, the freezing point of 
water. 

Waring was kept carefully covered up, and pro- 
fessed to suffer nothing from cold, having all the 
extra clothing of the part}^. It was luckily the last 
cold snap of the season, and with the sunrise of the 


198 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


next day, Sunday, the fifth day of their voyaging, the 
wind had given place to a calm, although cold, clear, 
bracing atmosphere. 

After the usual ablutions, which were never neg- 
lected by the party, followed by breakfast, the ice 
being closely frozen together, a walk to a high berg 
at the distance of a quarter of a mile was proposed, 
as it was thought that the course of the ice should 
bring them in sight at least, of the North Cape of St. 
Jean. This was generally acceded to by all but War- 
ing, who preferred to remain and keep up the fire. 

Taking their weapons, an ice-axe, and a light coil 
of rope, the three soon arrived, without misadventure, 
at the foot of an irregular mound of ice, at least fifty 
feet in height. 



THE CHAPEL BELL, 


199 


CHAPTER XIIL 

THE CHAPEL BELL. — THE FIRST SEAL. — THE 
NORTH CAPE. — A SNOW-SQUALL. 



HE way was rough, and not without 
its dangers, for more than once Peter, 
who led the file, sprang just in time 
to save himself, as the treacherous 
crust above some yawning chasm be- 
tween two heavy Pans crumbled 


under his feet ; and once he fell headlong, clutching 
at a friendly spur, just in time to escape tumbling 
among a lot of jagged and flinty shards of young 
crushed ice.^^ 

The wind was light at times, coming in puffs and 
squalls ; and although the day was bright, a mist here, 
snowy white, there crimson with sunbeams, again 
darkening into purplish blue, and elsewhere of a 
heavy and leaden obscurity, hung over the greater 
part of the sky, and made it a doubtful task to prog- 
nosticate, with any degree of certainty, the state of 
the weather for even an hour in advance. 

^ As they proceeded, a strangely solemn, though faint 
and distant, sound broke the oppressive silence. The 
three halted and listened intently. Again, low as the 


200 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-^FIELDS. 


moan of the dying surges on a distant bar, the sound 
came thrilling over the icy sea to the southward, and 
each face flushed with a new hope of speedy release 
from their wild prison-house. 

Hark ! said Orloff, raising his hand. I hear 
the sound of a church bell. We must be near the 
land.^^ 

It must be from the tower of the Tignish Chapel, 
then,^^ said La Salle, ^Mbr no other land save the North 
Cape lies in our course. 

Again a blast came whistling among the defiles, 
and again a calm succeeded. All listened in breath- 
less silence, and again the wished-for sound which 
spoke of the proximity of human society and Christian 
worship, came pealing across the desolate wastes, 
deserted of everything having life, and impressing 
the fancy of the beholder as does the desolation of 
long-forgotten cities, or the shattered marbles of the 
unremembered dead. 

I know that place. That bell Tignish Chapel. 
Two year ago I camp on Tignish Lun. Make basket, 
catch trout, shoot flover. Go hevery Sunday to mass, 
— that same place, — take squaw, pappoose, boy, girl, 
all folks. Know that bell, sure. To-day Sunday, and 
folks going into chapel.^^ 

He must be right,^’ said La Salle, but we are 
now near the berg, and from its top we shall see if we 
are indeed near the North Cape. Make haste, Peter; 


THE ICEBERG. 


201 


perhaps we may get near enough to-day to make our 
way to the shore.’’ 

A broad, level floe was all that intervened between 
the party and the berg which they sought. Running 
across it, although with some little difficulty, for the 
ice was covered with slush concealed by a crust insuf- 
ficient to bear the w^eight of a man, they soon reached 
the berg. It was evidently of Arctic origin, for it 
was much larger than any of the many pinnacles ” in 
sight. It was composed of ice, which, wherever the 
snow had failed to lodge, appeared hard, transparent, 
and prismatic in the rays of the sun. Its sides were 
steep and precipitous, and at first the members of the 
party began to fear that they should be unable to 
mount the steep escarpment of eight or ten feet high, 
which formed its base, which was further defended by 
a moat of mingled sludge and rounded fragments, 
cemented by young ice. 

Had the opposite bank been attainable, any of the 
party would have readily leaped across, trusting to 
their speed to save themselves from immersion among 
the rolling fragments ; but no one cared to risk the 
treacherous footing beneath that inaccessible wall. 

I’m afraid we shall have to go back to our own 
lookout, and trust to a shift of the ice,” said La Salle. 

Can you think of any way of climbing that pinna- 
cle, Peter ?” 

No way do that, unless cut a way into that hice, 


202 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


and then no safe place to stan’ on, sartain, this time/^ 
answered the Indian. 

Let me have that rope/^ said Regnar, quietly. 

Taking the light Manilla painter, he proceeded to 
form a large loop, and grasping it near the running 
knot, laid half a dozen turns across his hand. Then 
swinging the coil around his head, he launched the 
rope at a group of jagged points, which projected just 
above the edge of the lowest part of the cliff. Again 
and again the noose came back unreeved, and again 
and again the patient boy, with rare strength and 
skill, flung the ample noose over the slippery spires 
of ice. At last, however, success rewarded his efforts, 
and a strong pull, with the united weight of all three, 
failed to start the closely-drawn bowline. Taking the 
axe and bearing the most of his weight on the cord, 
Regnar crossed the bending surface and shifting frag- 
ments, and finding a precarious footing on the berg, 
wound the rope around his left arm, and with the 
right cut steps into the brittle ice- wall. 

In a few moments he ascended the cliff, and the 
others, leaving their guns behind them, found little 
difficulty in following him. Leaving the rope still 
fast, the three ascended the berg, which rose high 
above the surrounding ice. Their first, look was to the 
southward. For a moment the distance and the ever- 
present snow deceived them ; but the sun came from 
behind a cloud, and they saw, afar off, the red sand- 
stone face of the snow-covered cliffs of the North Cape. 


THE FIRST SEAL, 


203 


They are now about twelve miles distant, and, as 
I judge, there can be but little open water between 
us and the shore. Let us hasten back and get the 
boat ready, for if this wind only holds, and no snow 
or rain comes on, we shall soon be able to reach the 
shore.^^ 

At that moment something fell with a splash into 
a small, partially open pool, on the farther side of 
the berg, and all saw a huge form disappear under 
the surface. Each started, felt mechanically for his 
weapons, and in brief monosyllables of Esquimaux, 
Micmac, and English, ejaculated the name of the ani- 
mal whose presence none had even suspected. 

Ussuk ! whispered Regnar. 

Nashquarij^ murmured Peter. 

A seay^ said La Salle. 

Orloff slid down the berg, caught the firmly fas- 
tened cord, swung himself over the ice-foot, skipped 
lightly over the yielding fragments, seized his gun, 
and returned in almost less time than it takes to 
describe his movements. The seal, a huge male, had 
come to the surface among the fioating fragments at 
the farther side of the pool, some fifty yards away, 
and now lay with his round head, protruding eyes, 
and stiff bristles, strikingly expressing anger, fear, 
and curiosity — the last predominating. Regnar 
threw his gun to his shoulder. 

What size shot have you ? said La Salle, laying 
his hand on his shoulder. 


204 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Two buckshot cartridge, — heavy enougli for him. 
If he we^e old ^ hood ^ now ! Look ! I show you 
something.^^ 

The lad took deliberate aim, and then, with the full 
force of his capacious lungs, gave a sharp, shrill whis- 
tle, which almost deafened his companions, and was 
re-echoed from the icy walls on the farther side of the 
pool, in piercing reverberations. 

Surprised and affrighted by the unusual sound, the 
huge ussuk rose half his length above the water, and 
looked around him. The icy cliffs echoed the crash- 
ing volley, as both barrels poured forth their deadly 
hail almost in unison, and the huge animal settled 
down amid incarnadined waters and ice crimsoned 
with his life-blood, shot to death through the brain 
so skilfully that scarce a struggle or a tremor bore 
witness that the principle of life had departed. 

Descending the berg, a small fragment of ice capa- 
ble of bearing a man was found, and Eegnar, taking 
the end of his line, stepped upon it, and with his gun- 
stock paddled off to the dead seal, and affixing the 
line to one of its flippers, pulled himself ashore, and 
joined the others in towing the game to the berg. 
Landing it on a little shelf. La Salle and Peter began 
to speculate as to how the huge carcass, which must 
have weighed five hundred pounds, could be hauled 
over the berg, and safely landed. Eegnar laughed at 
the idea. 

We want not the meat — only the skin, blubber, 


THE NORTH CAPE, 


205 


and liver. Why not skin here ? Save much work 
for nothin\ Here, Peter, give me knife. 

Peter drew the long blade from his belt, and 
Regnar making a single incision from chin to tail, the 
body seemed fairly to roll out of the thick, soft blub- 
ber coat which adhered to the skin. In less than two 
minutes Regnar had finished what La Salle had no 
doubt would take at least a good half hour. With 
equal deftness the liver was extracted, and a few 
pounds of meat taken from the flanks. 

Fastening the whole to the line, it was drawn to 
the top of the berg, and thence down the slope to the 
rude stairs. As the weight was nearly half that of a 
man, Regnar merely placed the bight of the rope 
around the object on which it had caught. Its shape 
excited curiosity, and a few strokes of the axe cleared 
ofi* its covering of ice. 

“ This ice from Greenland,*^ said Regnar. Here 
is the stone the Innuit uses for pots — what you call 
soapstone.” 

Well, I hope we shall not need it,” said La Salle, 
for the North Cape is now only ten miles away, and 
it is not yet noon. I want the blubber for fuel, or I 
would not waste time with this skin even.” 

We shall have all we want to get back to George. 
See how the clouds close in. Plenty snow right away 
now. Come, Peter, get across quick.” 

La Salle groaned in spirit, as, from the berg which 
he had reascended, he saw the distant red ledges shut 


206 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


out from view, and marked the first scattering fiakes 
fall silently through the now calm atmosphere. Look- 
ing down, he saw that Peter and Regnar had got 
safely across the chasm, and almost despairing of the 
fate of his party, he followed down the rude steps, and 
across the treacherous bridge. 

Letting the line slacken a little, Regnar gave a deft 
whirl, which cast off the bight from the rock, and the 
party, dragging behind them their prize, retraced their 
path amid what soon became a blinding snow-squall. 
Luckily their track had been through deep snow, 
and therefore not easily covered up : for when they 
reached their own island of refuge, they could see 
scarce a rod in any direction. 

Regnar dragged his prize to the little enclosure, 
and, pointing to the snow-fiake, said, — 

Soon they grow larger, softer, then turn to rain. 
Then this skin and our boat must cover us, for the 
snow-water will spoil our house. 

At that moment a fiaw from the westward bore on 
its wings a repetition of the sounds they had heard 
in the morning, but nearer and more distinct than 
before. Heavily, measured, and mournfully, came the 
tones of the great bell, as the storm-vapors shut down 
closer, and the west wind blew fiercer across the ice- 
bound sea. 

They toll for the dead,^^ said Regnar. 


THE PACK OPENS, 


207 


CHAPTER Xiy. 

THE PACK OPENS. — MYSTERIOUS MURMURS.— 
LOVE SCENES AND SOUNDS. 

LL day long the snow fell heavily, and 
although the wind blew with no great 
violence, it was evidently increasing 
their drift eastward into the open Gulf. 
At night the temperature was percep- 
tibly higher, and as they gathered around the light 
of the rude brazier in the centre of their ice-cave, 
each for the first time opened his heavy outer cloth- 
ing, and felt the cool zephyrs that, from time to time, 
found their way through the door curtain, to be a 
welcome visitant. 

The fire had melted a deep hollow in the centre, 
which was naturally the lowest part of the floor, 
and Peter quietly arose, and bringing in the axe, 
cut a narrow but deep gutter out through the door- 
way. Reverently that night the little group bowed 
their heads as Waring, with his sweet voice, led the 
singing of one of the old familiar hymns, dear alike to 
Churchman and Dissenter, and La Salle prayed that 



208 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


the hand of the Father might be with them in their 
coming trials. 

For already the boat had received her scanty store 
of food and fuel, their weapons stood close at hand, 
a pile of cooked meats was cooling near the door, and 
all knew that a few hours might again find them seek- 
ing a new shelter, among perils compared to which 
those already passed, were trifles light as air.” 

Heretofore they had been exposed to no wide sweep 
of seas, and had never felt the solid ice beneath them 
rolling and plunging through mountainous surges, or 
dashed in terrible collision against its companions of 
the dismembered ice-pack. Now every mile which 
they drifted increased the sweep of the sea, and in 
the centre of the wide Gulf, the southerly winds 
would scarcely fail to open, at least, the outer sec- 
tions of the floes. 

As they concluded their brief Sabbath exercises. 
La Salle drew from his vest pocket a stump of lead 
pencil, and seemed at a loss for something on which 
to write. 

Have any of you a piece of paper ? ” he asked. 

All answered in the negative ; but a thought seemed 
to strike him, and drawing from an inner pocket a 
much crumpled letter, he opened it, and seemed to 
consider. The envelope was worn out, but had pre- 
served the closely- Written note paper within ; and 
taking a single page, he spread it on his gunstock, 
and, in broad-lined, coarsely-made letters, drew up 


THE LETTER. 


209 


the following record of their present position and 
prospects : — 

“Off Cape North, Sunday, April 15, 186-. 

To WHOEVER MAY FIND THIS : This morning the 
undersigned, with George Waring, Peter Mitchell, 
and Regnar OrlofF, all well, were twelve miles north- 
east of Cape North, but a snow storm prevented an 
attempt to land. Knowing that, with the presently 
impending southerly storm, we may have to leave 
our present refuge, I hereby assure those who may 
find this of our present safety, and desire them to 
forward this to the oflSce of the Controller of Cus- 
toms at Halifax, or St. John. 

(Signed) Charles La Salle.’^ 

Regnie, please write this in French on the other 
side — will you ? said the writer, as he finished. 

OrlofF took the page, and turning it over, did as re- 
quested ; but as he finished signing his own name, he 
let the pencil drop from his fingers, and for a mo- 
ment found himself incapable of movement or ex- 
pression. Controlling himself with an efibrt, he 
folded the note neatly, and returned it, with the 
pencil, to La Salle. 

Who is your fair correspondent, M. La Salle ? ” 
said he, in French. 

La Salle, with flushed face and eyes lighted up with 
due resentment of the other’s curiosity, answered, — 

You seem to have read for yourself” 

14 


210 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


Orloff’s manner changed at once. 

A thousand pardons, monsieur, but I have a good 
reason for asking the lady’s name.’^ 

Pauline H. Randall, as you may see for yourself,’^ 
was the quiet reply. 

One more question, sir. Do you know her middle 
name ? 

I did, but cannot exactly recall it, as she never 
uses it in full, and I have forgotten whether it is 
Hobel or Hubei ; that it is one of the two, I am pretty 
certain.^' 

A glance of mingled expression shot from the eyes 
of Orloff, but he restrained himself with a visible 
eifort, and he became again the somewhat phlegmatic 
pilot of the Gulf shore. 

Thank you, M. La Salle. You shall know more at 
a fitting season.^^ 

Taking one of Waring’s cartridge cases, La Salle 
forced the record into its narrow chamber, and select- 
ing a small strip of pine, — a part of the thin side of 
his crushed fioat, — he stopped the cartridge with a 
tightly -fitting wad, and fastened it to the board with 
a piece of stout cord. On the white board he 
printed, in large letters, Read the contents of the 
case ; and going out, he placed it firmly upright on 
the summit of the berg. 

At twelve that night the rain fell fast, the wind 
blew steadily from the southward, and the undula- 
tions of the ice, from time to time, told that, although 


MYSTERIOUS MURMURS, 


211 


safe in the very heart of the pack, yet still the field 
had already resolved itself into its component parts. 
Towards midnight all fell asleep, being satisfied that 
no immediate danger threatened them ; but at about 
half an hour before daybreak. Waring awoke, and 
placed a few blocks on the smouldering embers. As 
he waited for them to burst into a flame, he heard 
the air filled with confused murmurings, unlike any 
sounds that he had previously experienced. Gradually 
they appeared to draw nearer, to sound from all sides, 
to fill the air overhead, and even at last to ascend 
from the depths below. Strangely sweet, yet sadly 
plaintive, they at once charmed and terrified the poor 
boy, weak from his recent illness, and worn with the 
anxieties of his situation. 

At last Eegnar awoke, and to him Waring applied 
for an explanation of the strange sounds. OrloflF 
listened attentively, and answered with paling 
cheeks, — 

Such are the melodies which my people say that 
the sad Necker sings by the lonely river, when he 
bemoans his lot, in that Christ died not for him. 
Doubtless the sea has its water spirits, and they now 
surround our island of ice.’^ 

Waring, unskilled in the folk-lore of Dane, Swede, 
and German, answered, — 

“ It can’t be that. It must be that some vessel is 
near us, or there is a crew of wrecked sealers around 
us on tho ice. Ah, Peter, are you thinking of getting 


212 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


up. Listen to those sounds, and tell us what they are 
— will you ? 

Peter listened gravely and attentively. 

I not know that noise, brother. I know nearly all 
the cries of bird and beast, and often I sleep all lone 
in the woods ; hear howl, hear fox, hear frog, hear 
everyting. Sometime I tink I know that noise ; 
then I tink I not know him at all. Get La Salle 
awake ; ask him — he know.^^ 

La Salle slept but lightly whenever there was need 
of vigil, and the last words had fallen on his awaken- 
ing ears. 

What’s the matter, Peter ? said he. 

We hear many strange noise. I not know, George 
not know, Regnie not know, none of us know. There 
it come again. What you call that ? 

La Salle listened a moment, went to the door, and 
then beckoned to his companions to follow. The rain 
fell heavily, but the wind came warm and gently 
from the balmy south, and no rude blast shrieked 
and sighed amid the ice-peaks. The strange sounds 
were sweeter, louder, and apparently nearer than 
before. Soft and sad as the strains of the disconso- 
late Necker, plaintive as the mournings of men with- 
out hope, wild as the cries of the midnight forest, 
and the sighings of wind-tossed branches. La Salle 
laughed a low, glad laugh. 

You may sleep soundly,^^ said he ; the coots and 
ducks have come northward, and the spring is here 


MYSTERIOUS MURMURS. 


213 


at last. To-morrow will bring us sport to repletion, 
for the sounds you hear are the love- songs of the sea- 
birds, whose voices, however harsh, grow sweet when 
the sun brings back again the season of love and 
flowers.’’ 

When the morn came, unheralded by sunbeams, 
and shrouded by leaden rain-clouds, a veil of mist 
covered the vast ice-fleld, of which no two masses 
retained their former proximity. A network of nar- 
row channels opened and closed continually among 
the dripping bergs, from whose sides flashed the fre- 
quent cascade, and glimmered the shimmering ava- 
lanche of dislodged snow. Amid this ever-shifting 
panorama, giving it life and beauty, covering pool and 
channel with merry, restless knots of diving, feeding, 
coquetting, quarrelling swimmers, relieving the color- 
less ice with groups of jetty velvet and scoter ducks, 
gray and white-winged coots, crested mergansers in 
their gorgeous spring plumage, and fat, lazy black 
ducks, with Lilliputian blue and green winged teal, 
filling the air with the whirr of swift pinions^ and the 
ceaseless murmur of the mating myriads, rested from 
their long northward journey, a host such as mortal 
eye hath seldom beheld, and which it hath fallen to 
the lot of few sportsmen to witness and enjoy. 

I kill many birds on Aice, in quetan, among sedge 
out on the bay, but I never see such sight. I never 
think so many birds in the world before,” said Peter, 
as he loaded his double-barrel. 


214 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


I been up Ivuctoke Inlet, on Greenland coast ; 
down Disco saw great many bird, but nothing like 
this/^ muttered Regnar. 

It is almost too bad to kill any of these lovely crea- 
tures/^ said George, whose loving nature drank in the 
full beauty of the scene ; can^t we do without them ? 

We have only six birds, and some seal fat, meat, 
and liver. If it closes the ice again we shall soon be 
short of food. So well get out our floating decoys 
to leeward, and see what we can do to replenish our 
larder.^^ 

La Salle’s plan was duly carried out. A couple of 
flocks of floating decoys were anchored to a protrud- 
ing spur of ice, and for an hour or so the four had 
their fill of slaughter. Each was limited to three 
cartridges apiece, and no one would fire except at an 
unusually large flock. Peter brought down a goose 
with each barrel, and six brent with his third shot ; 
Regnar killed nine black duck with one barrel, 
five velvet ducks with another, and six teal with 
the third. Waring unexpectedly had a shot at a 
flock of Phalapores, and secured twelve of these cu- 
rious birds ; but his third shot at a solitary goose 
failed, owing to a defective cap. La Salle, after a 
single shot which killed a brace of brent, was about 
to reload, and had just poured in a charge of powder, 
when he suddenly crouched behind a hummock, and 
motioned to the others to follow his example ; then, 
pointing to a small lead just opening between two 


SEAL-FIGHT. 


215 


bergs about two hundred yards away, he called the 
attention of his companions to an enormous seal, even 
larger than their victim of the day before. 

The new-comer was a prodigious hooded seal, 
and the loose skin which enveloped his head was dis- 
tended with air, and gave forth a hollow, barrel-like 
sound, whenever, raising himself above the waves, 
he came down with a heavy splash upon the surface. 



His aspect was savage and ferocious, and he seemeo 
looking for some object on which to wreak his rancor; 
for from time to time he sent forth a savage cry, far 
hoarser and prolonged than the whining bark which 
these animals usually utter. 

He^s an ole male. He dreadful angry, and I s^pect 
some other one near here. Yes, there he comes 


216 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


and Regnar pointed to another opening between two 
massive floes, from whence, sounding a valorous defi- 
ance to his challenger, emerged a second seal, even 
larger than the first. With mutual animosity they 
darted towards each other, and the next moment were 
engaged in a terrific combat. 

So quick were their evolutions as they fought, now 
above and now below the surface of the water, that 
the eye could scarcely distinguish which, for the mo- 
ment, had a temporary advantage, although one was 
much darker in hue, and more beautifully marked than 
the other. They sprang into the air, they dived be- 
neath the surface, they threw their heavy bodies 
against each other, they tore each other with teeth 
and claws, and the water was covered with bloody 
foam. 

La Salle watched the fray with divided interest. 
It was a new and interesting lesson in natural history, 
and he wanted the huge skins and blubber of the 
combatants, who fought on unconscious of their hid- 
den audience, and the deep interest taken in their 
movements. Half a dozen times La Salle had raised 
his huge gun to fire, and lowered it again, unable to 
get a sure aim, so sudden were the changes of the 
conflict. At last, wearied but unconquered, both lay 
almost motionless upon the water, tearing at each 
other’s throats like bull- dogs who have fought to mu^ 
tuaJ exhaustion. 


THE CONTEST ENDED, 


217 


As his heavy weapon settled into deadly aim, Reg- 
nar touched La Sallees shoulder. No shot heavy 
enough for those fellows ; must have bullet. That 
hood turn anything but rifle-ball. 

By the side of the hummock lay a short piece of 
pine board, once the movable thwart of the float. La 
Salle beckoned to Peter. Make me out of this a 
stout, sharp-headed arrow, with a heavy shaft.^^ Peter 
doubtfully drew his waghon and split off a piece, which 
in about a minute was whittled into a short, stout 
arrow, headed only with a wooden point, the largest 
diameter of which fitted pretty accurately to the bore 
of the heavy piece. La Salle, meanwhile, had drawn 
his shot, and motioning to Peter to load a barrel of his 
own gun in like manner, turned to watch the waning 
conflict, which, notwithstanding the exhaustion of the 
combatants, had evidently produced little more dam- 
age than a few savage flesh wounds. 

In another moment Peter had fitted another arrow 
to his own gun, and awaited the word. Regnar 
whistled sharp and shrill, the combatants suddenly 
separated, and each, rising until his flippers showed 
above the surface, looked on all sides for the source 
of this sudden interruption. At once both guns roared 
in unison, a distance of scarce twenty yards interven- 
ing between the marksmen and their prey. Peter’s 
mark, the largest and most beautiful of the two, fell 
dead, with its head transfixed with the arrow, which 
>vaved feebly above the crimsoned surface^ as the huge 


218 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


body trembled with the throes of dissolution. La 
Sallees aim was less sure, and the novel missile tore 
through the neck, just below the 'ear. A fountain of 
blood sprang ten feet into the air as the dying animal 
fell back, spurning the bloody pool with tail and flip- 
pers ; but the mighty heart sent forth its wasted life- 
tide, until its current was exhausted and the powerful 
old hood was like his whilom rival — a lifeless mass 
of inert flesh. 

Well, I never see such ting shoot before. I use 
duck shot, goose shot, sometime nails, and sometime 
little stones, and once in woods I kill gleat bear with 
junk of lead : but I never shoot arrow before. Thus 
said Peter, wondering at his own achievement. 

Waring had noted with great curiosity the effect 
of the new missile. Where did you learn that, Char- 
ley ? To think that a piece of soft wood should kill 
such huge animals ! 

La Salle had hastened to launch the boat, but stopped 
to answer a question in which all seemed to take an 
interest. About three hundred years ago. Captain 
John Hawkins, a stout skipper of Devon, and one of 
those old sea-dogs who helped to conquer the great 
Spanish Armada, had these arrows, which he called 
^ sprights,^ to distinguish them from those still used 
with the English longbow, made in large quantities, 
to be used in the muskets of his men. He claimed 
that they passed through and through the bulwarks of 
the Spanish ships, and highly commended them to his 


THE TROPHIES. 


219 


contemporaries. I should prefer bullets myself, but 
have no doubt that they attain a great range, and 
have, before this, driven a piece of soft pine nearly 
five inches into a hard spruce post. I should feel 
perfectly safe in meeting a bear or wolf with no other 
missile in my gun.’^ 

Regnar jumped into the boat, and the two pushed 
off and secured the seals, both of which were very 
fat, but covered with blood, and much cut about the 
head and neck. Securing them with a rope, they re- 
turned to the shore, and with some difficulty hauled 
them out upon the berg, where Peter and Regnar 
hastened to skin them, and preserve such portions of 
the meat as they required. The heads were also 
split to procure the brains, and the large sinews ex- 
tracted, after which the bodies were consigned to the 
sea, and at once sank down until they were lost from 
sight in the depths of the Gulf. 

The three skins were then carefully stripped of 
blubber and membrane, and Peter, taking the brains, 
mixed them with water into a soft paste, which was 
spread over the inner side of each skin. Each was 
then folded once, and then formed into a compact 
roll, tightly bound with the sinews, after which the 
three skins were suspended at the top of the hut above 
the stove, to await the softening action of the brain- 
paste. 


220 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


CHAPTER XV. 

A SAIL. — THE SEALING GROUNDS. — THE ES^ 
QUIMAUX LAMP.— AN INDIAN LEGEND. 

BOUT a hundred pounds of blubber 
lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxu- 
riating on a whole hind quarter, which 
was given up to his especial use, to 
make up for the rather short commons 
he had of late been reduced to. About fifty birds 
lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious 
to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set 
himself down to skin the finest ones. Waring joined 
him in the task. 

There’s the big berg where we killed ussuk yes- 
terday. Less go and look around. Perhaps we see 
land,’^ said Regnar. 

No, Regnie ; we are fifty miles from any land now, 
and I think about one third of the way across to the 
Magdalen Islands. Still, I should like to take an ob- 
servation, and see where we are ; and we may not 
have such a calm spell again for two or three days.’^ 
Pulling off to the berg, they found the shelf on 
which lay the dead seal, and climbing the ice-cliff, 



A SAIL, 


221 


they saw spread out before them a strange and pleas- 
ing spectacle. The fog had lifted, for it was now 
nearly noon, and although some rain still fell, the eye 
could see the broken ice-pack seamed with channels, 
and scarred with pools of varying size, for at least 
eight miles in any direction. Regnar started, turned 



to his companion, and seizing his shoulder with con- 
vulsive energy, pointed to the east. A long ribbon 
of black vapor hung over the ice, low down on the 
horizon, and beneath it towered the topsail of a brig- 
antine, going free before the wind. 

It is a sealing steamer, boring out of the pack,’^ 
said Regnar. 

La Salle’s first impulse was to rush to the boat, and 
rejoin his comrades, to set signals, burn bonfires — 


222 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE--FIELDS. 


anything which might possibly call the attention of 
those on board. Then he considered the futility of 
such endeavors, and he turned to his comrade, — 
We canT signal her now, Regnar, and we won^t 
excite in our friends hopes which cannot fail to be 
disappointed. We shall see her again soon.’^ 

Regnar looked around them, cast glances of admi- 
ration on the abundance of animal life presented to 
their view, gave a look of approval to his friend, and 
answered in his Esquimaux-English, — 

It is good. I fear not. That steamer sail away 
to-day, for wind fair. If wind east to-morrow, she sail 
this way. If wind north, she go south ; but she no 
leave this place till she beats . the pack, like a hound. 
Look there — see that floe. Plenty seal there to load 
one vessel.^^ 

The view was indeed charming, for ice and water 
were alive with birds, and among them moved in 
every direction the bullet heads of many seals. 

About three miles to the eastward lay a large pan, 
and around it the water was dark with the older 
amphibia, while from it came, in the occasional calm 
intervals, the unceasing whine, which the baby seal 
never foregoes for a moment, except when asleep or 
feeding. 

^AVe want more skins, master,^^ said the boy. ^^We 
could soon fill our boat — we two.^^ 

A cold puff came from the westward, and a slight 
break showed itself in the north-west. 


THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP. 


223 


We shall have clear weather and a westerly breeze 
after sunset/’ said La Salle. We will get ready to- 
night, and to-morrow we will have a battle among 
the seals.^^ 

Retracing their steps, they entered their boats, and 
returned to their friends, to whom they imparted the 
news of the proximity of the sealing-grounds. 

“We need about ten large skins, and some smaller 
ones. So let us get ready to-night, and if the weather 
is favorable, visit the ^ nursery ^ to-morrow.^’ 

So saying. La Salle took one of the large floating 
decoys made of cork and canvas, and painted black, 
and drawing a nail from the broken boat, fastened it 
to the end of a strip from the bottom — in fact, one of 
the runners. This was planted beside the strip, sus- 
taining the record contained in the copper case, and 
formed a beacon, easily distinguished against the 
lighter ice. 

Guns were cleaned, knives and axes sharpened, for 
the soapstone boulder had been brought from the 
berg, and afforded quite a good whetstone, to patient 
labor ; and Peter, with his knife, finished, in the course 
of the evening, a number of wooden bolts for himself. 
La Salle, and Regnar; and even Waring fitted a 
couple into two of the brass shells of his breech- 
loader. 

Regnar took the remains of the steel boat-hook, and 
succeeded in straightening the hook, which he drew 
down into the shape of a rude chisel. Peter tern- 


224 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


pered it for him, and then, with this rude tool and an 
axe, he split the boulder of soapstone into halves, 
making two bowl-shaped pieces, about fifteen inches 
across, in the line of cleavage. One of these he pro- 
ceeded to hollow out into an Esquimaux lamp, for the 
stock of wood had been largely drawn upon during 
the cold spell just over, and only about twenty decoys 
remained unburnt. Waring sat next him, unravelling 
one of the old cotton-flannel over-shirts, and twisting 
the fibres into large wicks ; while La Salle made a 
cover of the last remaining sheet-iron decoy, with 
holes for six wicks. As they sat around the fire. 
Waring suddenly broke the silence. 

Charley,’’ said he, you have never told your 
story, although all the rest of the club took their 
turn. We are not making much noise with our work. 
Can’t you give us your story now, to while away the 
evening ?” 

La Salle was at first disposed to comply, but his 
eye fell on the dark features of Peter, opposite him. 

Peter,” said he, tell us one of the tales your old 
people tell around the winter fire in the long, cold 
evenings. Tell us of Teahm or Kit-pus-e-ag-a*now.” 

How you know them ? ” asked the Indian, sur- 
prised out of his usual self-possession. You speak 
Micmac too ? ” 

0, no, Peter; but I have heard many of these old 
tales, and I know the lads would like to hear them 
too.” 


AJV INDIAN LEGEND, 


225 


Yes, yes, Peter,^’ added Waring, let us have one, 
by all means/^ 

Peter laid aside his pipe, for he still retained a 
little of his treasured tobacco, and in a slow, senten- 
tious tone repeated one of those tribal legends which 
are all that keep alive the fire of patriotism and 
national pride, in the breasts of a people who find 
themselves strangers, outcasts, and without a country 
in the land of their birth, once theirs alone. 

Peter^s Story. 

The old people were camped long, long ago, near 
the Oolastook, where now stands St. John. All this 
lan^ Indian then. No diite man live here that time, 
and the hunter always find game plenty — plenty 
moose, plenty bear, plenty fish, plenty everyting. 

Then Indians not so wicked as now, and God had 
not sent ^hite men to punish them for their sins. But 
even then they fought each other ; and between my 
people and the Quedetchque — that my name; you call 
^em Mohawk, I b’lieve — there was war, all time war. 

The Quedetchque come down every fall, follow 
down banks of river, wait alound village until all my 
people asleep ; make warwhoop, fire arrows, set fire to 
loomegun^ lun off with prisoner, and plenty scalp. One 
time all my people away, only squaw and childen in 
town ; Quedetchque war-party come, burn an’ kill ; 
get plenty scalp of women and boy, and chief take 
away Coquan, what you call ^ Lainbow,’ wife of great 
chief ^ Tamegun,’ the tomahawk. 


226 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


They hurry home fas’, but the snow fall thick^ 
an’ soon Tainegun an’ one other man come home, fin’ 
wigwam burnt, an’ dead people all alound. They 
tighten belts, take bow, knife, an’ axe, and follow on 
track. 

One night they find tracks in snow, and soon come 
up to the camp. Many w^arriors in that camp — make 
long camp, and door at each end, and fire at door. 
All Quedetchque inside take off moccason and bathe 
sore feet in big birch-bark tub near door ; then wait 
until Coquan mend moccasons. All this Tamegun see, 
and he find out where his squaw sit in lodge. 

Then he creep up like wildcat, and peep through 
bark so close he could almos’ touch her ; but he only 
lift edge of bark, and slide in wampum belt. Coquan 
work war-belt for him, and know who it is at once. 
Then she go out, an’ they talk together, far from the 
camp. 

Then Coquan go back into camp, and take all the 
moccasons outside, and set the tubs of dirty water 
outside each door. Then she see Tamegun an’ his 
friend tie rope across door, jus’ above ground, and the 
Lainbow slip out again. Then Micmacs catch up tubs 
and throw water on the fires ; all out in a minute. 

Both cly the warwhoop many times at the door, 
an’ the woman shoot arrows through the bark. All 
the Quedetchque jump up, take knife an’ axe, think 
Micmacs got into the tent. All is dark ; see nothing ; 
think everybody enemy. They stab with knife, cly 


AJV INDIAN LEGEND. 


227 


war-cly, strike with axe, kill each other. Some lun 
out doors, tumble over cord. Micmacs kill every one. 
At last all dead but two boys, and Tamegun tie these 
to trees. 

Then Tamegun get scalp, skin, beads, knife, spear, 
everyting he want. Make three taboggin ; load all 
they can carry ; then set fire to camp and burn all up. 
Then, when all ready, Tamegun draw his knife, an^ cut 
prisoners loose. 

^ Go back to Quedetchque,^ he say. ^ They are 
squaws an’ cowards. Tell them come no more into 
Meegum-Ahgee, — in Micmac land, — for two Micmac 
men an’ a squaw have kill all your people Go ! 
You are too young to die. Your flesh is soft. Come 
back when your scalps are fit for a Micmac’s belt.’ 

So Tamegun got home all light, an’ Quedetchque 
come no more for many years. But my people no 
more fight. Many die in battle long ago. Many die 
of small-pox an’ fever, and now we are few. So it 
will be until He comes for whom all Indians wait. 
The story is ended.” 

Thus in rude English, Peter related one of the many 
tales, which still serve to keep alive a people’s pride 
in the glories of bygone days, so unlike their present 
degradation, that to the general observer the civilized 
Indian seems to know nothing of the past, to be 
scarcely conscious of his ignoble surroundings and 
circumstances, and to have no care or hope for a 


228 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


brighter future. La Salle knew well the wild legend 
of the Deliverer, in whom, in spite of his Catholic 
faith, the Indian everywhere has an inherent trust, as 
the slowly but surely-coming protector and restorer, 
of his ancient happiness. 

Thank you, Peter,^^ said he, kindly. Your people 
were a brave race, and true as steel to your WenoocTi 
(i. e., French). They fought as long as their allies dared 
to strive ; and it was long after the last French fortress 
surrendered that the warriors met at Bay Verte, to 
become true subjects to the king they had fought 
against for years.’’ 

Yes,” said Peter, sadly. My people once strong 
and brave ; now they waste away like the snow. I 
know many families almost gone, an’ but few pure 
Indian live this end of island. We see it, if ’hite people 
think not, but we do not care to let them see our 
tears.” 

There was a simple pathos in the broken words of 
this unlearned man — for he was no savage — which 
went to the hearts of his hearers ; and La Salle felt 
more strongly than ever, the cruel cowardice of that 
popular outcry, which denies a whole people all share 
of innate nobility and virtue, and visits on a deceived 
and wronged race, both their own sins and the short- 
comings of those who should be their natural pro- 
tectors. 

The party finished their various undertakings, care^ 
fully removing their litter. La Salle and Regnar went 


REGNAR^S OBSERVATION. 


229 


outside to take a last look at the sea and sky. The 
stars were visible here and there, through the dis- 
persing clouds, and the drip of melting ice was nc 
longer heard, for the temperature had again fallen 
below the freezing point. 

We are drifting south of east,^^ said Eegnar, 
quietly, and unless picked up will probably clear 
the south point of the Magdalen Islands.^^ 

How can you tell that ? asked La Salle. 

Easily enough,^^ said the lad, talking still in 
French. The wind is westerly, and the current 
runs from north to south.^^ 

' But how can you decide on the points of the com- 
pass ? persisted La Salle. 

For the first time the boy seemed to wonder at the 
question, and to doubt the wisdom of his friend. 

“ Who can fail to know ? said he, quietly, when 
he can see in the heavens above him, the steady light 
of the Polar Star?^^ 



230 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


CHAPTER X\^I. 

THE BREEDING-GROUNDS OF THE SEAL. — A 
CURIOUS SIGHT. — A SHARP ENCOUNTER. — ICE 
CHANGES. 

LRLY the next morning the breakfast 
was hurried over, and a survey of the 
ice disclosed little change from the 
conditions of the day before, except 
that the natural attraction of floating 
bodies for each other was evidently slowly closing 
the pools and intervening channels. 

Leaving Carlo to guard their dwelling, and tying 
the black McIntosh’^ blanket to the signal-staff, 
the four stepped into the somewhat narrow quarters 
of their clumsy boat, and using the oars as paddles, 
set off through a channel which led, as nearly as they 
could judge, in the direction of the fleld of seals seen 
the day before, and whose constant whining still gave 
evidence of their close proximity. 

Scarcely two miles of tortuous winding through 
channels of perfectly calm water, led them into a pool 
in which hundreds of large seals were disporting 
themselves, but which, on seeing the boat, scattered 



BREEDING-GROUNDS OF THE SEAL. 231 


m all directions, after a moment of stupidly curious 
exposure to the fire of the intruders. 

How lucky it is that these animals don’t know 
their own power ! ” said Waring. ^^If they cho^e they 
could soon upset the boat, and tear us in pieces.” 

“ Not without losing at least half a dozen of their 
leaders, and that is generally suflScient to deter hun- 
dreds of men, whose reasoning powers are much 
superior to these amphibia,” said La Salle. 

Passing into a narrow channel, in which at every 
turn they came close upon swimming and sleeping 
seals, they suddenly swept up to the verge of a vast 
and heavy field, on which thousands of the young of 
these animals lay in helpless inability to move. Most 
of these were what are called white-coats,” — fat little 
things, covered with a thick coat of woolly fur, — but 
a few had attained their third week of existence, and 
wore their close-laid fur, whose silvery, sword-like 
fibres, when wet, lie flat and smooth as glass. 

Among the smaller fry were many adult animals, 
both male and female — the latter being generally 
engaged in suckling their young. 

The landing of the hunters was the signal for a 
general stampede, and the monotonous whining of the 

white-coats ” was almost lost in the deep barking 
of the mothers, and the hoarse roars of the large 
males. 

The floe on which the young seals lay was a thick 
field of ice, whose clear, greenish sides showed that 


232 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


it was the product of some Greenland glacier. Years 
ago, when first detached from the ice-river of some 
tortuous fiord, it had perhaps measured its depth in 
hundreds of yards ; and even now, judging from its 
height above the surface of the sea, — about eight feet 
on the average, — it must have drawn nearly eight 
fathoms of water. 

The party had landed on a kind of sloping beach^ 
probably worn by the action of the sun, and what is 
even more destructive, the wash of the sea-waves, 
and ascending found that the floe was nearly level for 
an area of at least half a square mile, forming a kind 
of ice-meadow, surrounded on three sides by sloping 
hills twenty feet higher. In the sheltered valley thus 
formed lay at least a thousand seals, old and young, 
of several species, and all ages. 

There were, here and there, pairs of the small 
Greenland seal (Phoca VituUna)^ weighing from forty 
to sixty pounds, and marked on the back with beauti- 
ful mottlings of black, shaded down to the silvery 
white of its spotless breast. These, when disturbed 
near the edge of the floe, slid noiselessly into the 
water, going down tail foremost into the depths. 
Most plentiful of all were the springing seals,’^ 
(Phoca Hispida)j — known sometimes from its mark- 
ings as the harp,^^ — less beautiful in form, and with 
hair of a dusky yellow on the under side. These, 
when near the slope, sprang headlong into the water, 
and, diving with a splash, came up in shoals, darting 


A CURIOUS SIGHT, 


233 


forward with a springing motion, and emerging and 
disappearing much like a shoal of porpoises. 

Larger, coarser, and with crested heads, long bris- 
tles, and harsher hair, the bearded seaP^ (Phoca 
Barhata)^ — the noblest quarry of the Newfoundland 
sealer, who always speaks of him as the old hood 
sile,’’ — crawled with uncouth but rapid shuflSing 
motions to the brink, and with splashings that threw 
the spray high in air, dived at once, only emerging 
when almost beyond rifle range, where rolling, and 
splashing like whales, the uncouth monsters would 
turn to inspect the strange intruder. 

Come, Charley, said Waring, let us shoot. See, 
they will all be in the water before we begin.^’ 

^^Nohurry,^^ said Regnar, phlegmatically. Steamer 
almos^ load here.^^ 

There is no heed of haste,^^ said La Salle, pointing 
to the upper end of the ice- valley. We have the 
seals in a cul-de-sac, and can take our pick, as they 
pass by us to the water. We want ten of the largest 
hoods at first, and we have about that number of bolts 
with us. After we get them, each can kill what 
small seals he needs for boots and clothing. Now for 
the old hoods. Fire at close range, and donT miss. 
Come, let us begin the battle, for they are coming 
down upon us.^^ 

By this time the alarm had become general, and 
finding their retreat cut off, about five hundred seals, 
leaving behind their helpless young, came in a disor- 


234 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


dered but solid body down towards the hunters, the 
smaller Greenland and harp seals on the wings, 
and evidently wishing only to escape ; but in the cen- 
tre a small band of the more savage bearded seay^ 
their coarse bristles quivering with rage, the loose 
skin of their heads distended with air, and the white 
teeth of their yawning jaws threatening wounds and 
death to the invaders, came on with hoarse roarings, 
which rose above the weaker cries of the uncouth 
host like the thunder of artillery over the rattle of 
musketry in battle. 

The usually impassive Indian now seemed in his 
element. His sullen eyes lit up with a true hunter’s 
love of the chase, when the danger is not all on one 
side, and only the confidence of greater skill and 
superior weapons overcomes the sense of personal 
peril. Leaping forward, he led the attack, running 
for some forty yards towards the advancing monsters, 
followed by the others, who came close on his tracks, 
but quite unable to charge in line. 

Raising his gun, he suddenly halted scarce ten 
paces from the front of the sea-wolves, and, without 
hesitation, two of the largest shufiled ahead of their 
comrades, knitting their brows, and roaring with a 
fury which might well try the nerves of any man 
exposed to such an attack. One fell a little behind as 
Peter brought his gun to his shoulder. The first 
rushed forward, but as he lowered his huge head to 
attack, the arrow-point, hardened in the fire, shot 


A SHARP ENCOUNTER, 


235 


forth in a sheet of flame, and buried itself to the 
feather in the brain, passing through the thin walls 
of the top of the skull. 

At the unwonted sound, reverberated again and 
again from the cliff, even the forlorn hope retreated a 
little; but not so with the second seal. Throwing 
back his head until his yawning jaws almost hid the 
rest of his body, he came straight at the destroyer of 
his mate, roaring with redoubled fury. The heavy 
gun again poured forth its contents, but to the horror 
of the advancing friends of the Micmac, the huge 
animal, vomiting torrents of blood, was seen, amid the 
smoke, to strike down the Indian, who was at once 
lost to view under the ponderous animal, which in- 
stantly rolled over dead. 

In a second La Salle and Orloflf were on the spot, 
but their aid was needless. Bruised and sore with 
the fall and compression, but not otherwise injured, 
Peter sprang to his feet, and placing his gun between 
his knees, proceeded to reload. 

^^Sbld seal die hard. Spose me miss ^em at first. 
Arrow hit all light. Me plenty wet blood though.^^ 

He was, in truth, a fearful spectacle, being covered 
with gore ; but a glance at the dead beast revealed 
the cause. The arrow had passed into the mouth, 
transflxing the large arteries and the base of the 
brain, and the blood was still deluging the ice in 
a crimson tide, from which the hot vapors and 


236 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


sickening odor rose, maddening the remaining hoods 
to another charge. 

Quite a number of the smaller seals on the flanks 
had got by, and as the pressure lessened, the array of 
the centre partook more of the open order . of 
advance. To a party as well armed as the four 
friends, this change assured a bloodless victory. 
Each missile, flred point-blank, did its work, and the 
huge monsters, unable to seize the agile hunters, as 
they eluded their ponderous charge, received the fatal 
shot at such close range that the fur around the 
wound was often scorched by the burning powder. 

Every barrel had been discharged, nine hooded 
seals had fallen, and the survivors had already reached 
the open water; but frightened by the unwonted 
sights and sounds, many of the smaller seals still 
remained at the upper end of the valley, or with 
awkward speed were climbing the sloping ice-hills 
which sheltered it. Drawing an axe from his belt, 
Regnar started forward in pursuit. Peter and War- 
ing, with clubs of hard wood, followed, and La Salle, 
reloading his ponderous weapon, brought up the 
rear. 

A massacre of helpless and beautiful animals fol- 
lowed, for the next few moments, for Regnar, wuth a 
single tap on the nose, killed two Greenland seals ; 
and following his example, Peter and Waring dis- 
posed of as many more. Suddenly a loud cry from 
the latter broke the silent butchery. 



it ■ 


■ \ 




1 ^: 




A SHARP ENCOUNTER, 


237 


Look ! Stop that old hood ! That makes ten. 
My goodness ! I never see such seal ! That^s right, 
Peter, head him off. Hit him again. Waring ! Take 
that, you old bladder-nose ! 

The seal, a monstrous one, a veteran male, had 
attempted to scale the higher mounds, but sur- 
rounded by his more agile enemies, halted and 
showed fight. In vain Waring and Peter showered 
tremendous blows upon his head with their beechen 
clubs, and even the heavy axe of Orloff fell upon his 
natural helmet of air-distended skin, with a violence 
whose only effect was to increase the anger of the 
enraged amphibia, and fill the scene of the strife 
with hollow sounds, like the hoarse booming of a 
big drum. 

At last Waring missed his aim, and his club, which 
was slung at his wrist by a kind of sword knot, was 
seized in the jaws of the seal, and his succeeding 
rush jerked the frightened lad from his footing be- 
neath the fore-flippers of the animal. It was only the 
work of an instant for those terrible jaws to grind the 
club into splinters, and the next second the glittering 
teeth were about to close upon his helpless victim. 
At that juncture a huge rusty tube was thrust past 
Regnar’s head into the very face of the seal ; a tre- 
mendous concussion threw him upon the ice, stunned 
and deafened ; and the monster, rearing into the air, 
seemed to be fairly dashed to the ice, shivering with 
the tremor of death. 


238 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Are you hurt, George ? asked La Salle, breath- 
less with haste and restrained emotion. 

No, Charley ; I am safe, thanks to you.^^ 

And the lad, still weak with his previous illness, 
fear, and excitement, rose, threw his arms around his 
preserver's neck, and burst into a passion of tears. 

Better look, Regnar. Guess blow him head off 
too,^^ grumbled Peter, with a strange mixture of vex- 
ation, pleasure, and humor in his tone, for he loved 
Regnar, disliked to see men or boys cry, and knew 
that Regnar’s misadventure was more unpleasant than 
dangerous. 

In a moment or so Regnar arose, holding his head 
with both hands, and an evident feeling of uncer- 
tainty as to his whereabouts. 

Well, you call that gun Baby ! I don^t want her 
crying anywhere near me, after this. I say, La Salle, 
you sure my head all right on shoulders ? 

La Salle hastened to assure him that all was cor- 
rect, but Regnar gave a grim smile, and continued: — 
It no use ; I can’t hear, not if it thunder. I’ve no 
doubt you say you’re sorry, but I no hear your 
’pology, and I don’t think I ever shall again. Well, 
never mind. No time then to say, ^ By your leave, 
sir,’ and I glad George got clear all right.” 

Drawing their knives the party commenced the less 
pleasant and exciting task of flaying and butchering 
their victims. The ten hoods ” were enormous fel- 
lows, averaging eight feet in length, and nearly six in 


A CURIOUS SIGHT. 


239 


circumference, and weighing from five to six hundred 
weight each. Only two were eviscerated for the sake 
of the heart and membranous vessels ; but the heads 
of all were struck off for the sake of the brains, and 
the large sinews were extracted for “ sewing thread. ’ 



It was noon when the first load was sent off, under 
the care of Regnar and La Salle, to the home berg, 
and, two hours later, when they returned to the floe, 
they found, with pleasure, that the distance between 
the two points had materially lessened. 

Climbing the highest point of the floe. La Salle 
looked down upon a strange spectacle. Reaching away 


240 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


a mile or two to windward was a succession of floes^ 
similar to the one on which he stood. Upon them all 
the seals were gathered in hundreds, and beyond the 
last of the chain a huge iceberg — a perfect mountain 
of congealed water — rose nearly a hundred feet 
into the air. From its sides, resplendent with pris- 
matic colors and reflected light, flashed more than one 
cascade of pure fresh water, and the light breeze, as it 
blew against its vertical walls, or perhaps some cur- 
rents deep down below the surface, was impelling the 
huge mass, and the line of floes pushed before it, down 
the lane of open water, which led to the floating home 
of the wanderers. 

We shall have but a short distance to row this 
load,’’ said La Salle, as he descended to the party ; 
and indeed at that very moment the discolored 
mound, surmounted hy its dusky banner, appeared in 
sight, and before long only about a quarter of a mile 
separated the two. At this point the undetermined 
cause which had produced this change ceased, and 
the party rowed homeward with their last load, just 
in time as the pack closed in, and the channel through 
which they had rowed, in the morning, over a glassy 
expanse of nearly a mile in width, narrowed, until, with 
a shock which was wholly unexpected, so gradual 
and gentle seemed the motion, the opposing borders 
were again united, and the waves of the sea were no 
longer accessible. 

That evening the party supped off fried seal liver 


TENT-MAKING. 


241 


and heart, and found them fully up to the standard 
of excellence expressed by Regnar, who said, — 

Reindeer steak good beef, ptarmigan good beef, 
brent good beef, seal liver best beef of all.^^ 

Before going to bed La Salle cut into the ice-hole, 
which had been filled some days before with salt 
water. After much cutting, he came to about two 
quarts of water, which seemed thick and heavy. 
Baling this, with a rude spoon, into their only iron 
utensil, it was placed amid the embers, and left to boil 
away for the evening, while the adventurers, gathering 
around their fire took counsel as to what step was to 
be taken next. 

Let us make a tent,^^ said Waring. First thing 
we know this old fioe will split in two in a storm, and 
we shall have no house. 

Spose ^em lose house, we want clones. Need 
good boots too,^^ said Peter, who was indeed but 
poorly provided in this respect, compared with the 
rest of the four adventurers. 

If we have a good boat, we have shelter on land or 
water,’^ said Regnar, sententiously. 

Regnar is right, and we must enlarge the capacity 
of our boat. She has too little standing room, and we 
four should have little chance in her in a heavy storm 
at sea. To-morrow we will make her into a life- 
boat at once, for this pleasant weather cannot last 
long.^^ 

All agreed with La* Salle in this decision, and 
16 


242 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


accordingly the evening was spent in preparing the 
seal-sinews, and in cutting thongs of seal-hide from 
one of the largest skins. These, when soaked in water, 
were capable of considerable extension, but in drying 
contracted, making a lashing of the hardness and 
nearly the strength of iron. 

The sinews were, many of them, a yard in length, 
and at least the diameter of a large goose-quill. 
These split readily into threads of any required firm- 
ness, and before the party retired, quite a bundle of 
large and small thread was prepared. For the first 
time they worked by the glare of their Esquimaux 
lamp, which, besides its shallow bowl of soapstone, 
consisted of a top of thin sheet-iron pierced for six 
wicks, each of which was flat, about one sixteenth 
of an inch thick, and an inch wide. That evening all 
six were lighted — five of them being of cotton 
thread, and the sixth cut from the brim of an old 
white felt summer hat, used by Waring instead of his 
fur cap, when the sun shone too warmly at noon. 
The top was made loose, so as to rest on the blubber, 
and the heat tried out the oil as fast as it was 
wanted. 

The heat produced was quite sufficient for this nar- 
row room, and the soft light afforded by the seal- 
oil, lit up the hut with a mild yellow radiance, far 
more cheerful than the red glare of the wood-fire, and 
the old stove suspended above the flame carried off 
the smoke, and refracted the fleat more perfectly into 
the lower part of the hut. 


ICE-CHANGES, 


243 


The day’s hunt had afforded all the blubber which 
they could burn in a month ; and their stock of meat, 
cached ” in another hillock of their berg, was nearly 
suflScient food for the same period. But long before 
that time should elapse the young leader knew that 
relief must come, or that in some grand convulsion 
of the warring elements, amid the crash of collid- 
ing ice-fields and the sweep of resistless surges, the 
unequal conflict between human weakness and the 
tireless forces of nature must end, and to him and his 
comrades life’s fitful dream ” would be over. 

Therefore, as he made the seventh brief entry in 
his pocket diary, he watched jealously the faces of 
his companions, lest they should read in his face 
the refiection of his misgivings, as he traced these 
lines, — 

“ A week has elapsed since we left St. Pierre’s ; 
and as yet we have been safe in the centre of the 
pack. It is scarcely possible that another week 
will be as favorable to us as this has been, and no 
risk must prevent us from reaching the first sail in 
sight.” 



244 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


CHAPTER XVII. 

ENLARGING THE BOAT. — WINGED SCAVENGERS. 
— NOTICE TO QUIT. 

RLOFF^S final observation, at about 
ten o^clock on the night of the 19th, 
judging by the position of the North 
Star, gave the wind as about west- 
south-west, blowing pretty sharply, 
and closing the scattered pack well 
together. The following morning the wind still re- 
mained in the same quarter, and it was generally 
agreed that they must be somewhere in latitude 48°-f- 
and longitude 63° ^^7 about forty miles north- 
west of Amherst Island, the largest of the Magdalen 
group. 

After a breakfast of stewed phalaropes, whose ten- 
der, plover-like flesh was a pleasing change from the 
hitherto almost unvaried roast sea-fowl diet of the 
last week, the boat was drawn out upon the level 
platform near the hut, and removing her side and 
covering boards, the party held a survey of their 
only resource in case of a breaking up of the ice. 
After being measured by Peter, who claimed that 
the upper joint of his thumb was just an inch in 



ENLARGING THE BOAT 


245 


length, the following measurements were found to be 
nearly correct : Length over all, sixteen feet ; extreme 
breadth of beam, four feet ; length of well, eight feet ; 
breadth of well, three feet ; depth of boat, fifteen 
inches. 

About eight feet, it will be seen, was decked, and 
a space of only eight feet by three was all that was 
available for the reception of four men and the work- 
ing of the boat. It was decided to remove three 
feet of the rear half-deck, increasing the open space 
to eleven feet. This was easily done, leaving the 
strong cross-timbers untouched, and also six inches 
of weather-board on each side. 

The after part of the combing of the old well was 
removed and set up farther aft, and that of the sides 
was continued until the whole of the open section of 
the boat was thus protected from the wash of the sea. 
The smaller seals had been skinned, as a stocking is 
turned off of the foot, leaving but one aperture, that 
of the diameter of the neck. It was a work of some 
trouble, but was at last accomplished, and these skins, 
after being deprived of their inner coating of blubber, 
were easily formed into air-tight bags, and provided 
with narrow tube-like nozzles by carefully removing 
the bones from one of the flippers. These were duly 
inflated with air, and securely lashed on the inner side 
of the boat under the weather-boarding. Six of these 
were thus placed, two on each side, forward and aft, 


246 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


and two cross-ways under the thwarts, thus forming a 
very fair life-boat. 

In addition to these the bows and stern were raised 
about six inches by strips of the sides of the broken 
float nailed to the gunwale, and strengthened by 
cross-pieces of planking from the bottom. These 
were given considerable shear, so as to be lifted by 
a sea, instead of cutting into it. Besides these, rue- 
raddies, or shoulder-belts of hide, with a strap at- 
tached to the sides of the boat, were adapted to the 
height of each man, and each of the party was as- 
signed a position in the craft, from which there was 
to be no deviation. 

Thus La Salle steered while Waring sat next on 
the port side. Peter, with his single strong arm, took 
the other starboard berth, and Kegnar was bow oar, 
or, rather, paddle, while Carlo’s place was under the 
half-deck forward. 

The three seal-skins first procured were already 
about half tanned, and were formed into tarpaulins, 
being split in two lengthwise, sewed together at the 
ends, and again sewed to the edges of the combings 
with seal-sinews, forming a cover for the guns, and 
also by means of a gathering cord of fishing-line 
looped through their edges, capable of being drawn 
up and fastened at about the height of the waist of 
a man when kneeling, thus forming an additional pro- 
tection against a breaking sea. 

The oars, with one exception, were cut down into 


WALK TO THE SEALING-GROUNDS. 247 


paddles by Peter, for the paddle, in ice navigation, is 
incomparably superior to the oar, which requires open 
water for effectual use. One oar, however, was left 
of its original length for a support to the McIntosh, 
which, being about eight feet square, and furnished 
with brass eyelets, was easily fitted as a sail ; and 
owing to its black hue, was especially suitable for a 
signal of distress among the ice-islands of the Gulf. 

It was nearly six o^clock when these repairs were 
completed, and the party sat down to dinner, for, ex- 
cept a lunch of cold roast duck, they had eaten noth- 
ing since morning. The salt water, concentrated by 
freezing in the Russian manner, and left to boil down 
the night before, had produced about two pounds of 
good salt ; and Peter, taking his knife, soon made a 
neat tub, like a miniature butter firkin, in which to 
preserve it. 

After dinner it was proposed that a short walk over 
the intervening ice to the sealing-grounds should be 
undertaken, and headed by Peter, with an axe to try 
any suspicious ice, the adventurers reached the fioe 
in about fifteen minutes’ walk. Climbing the higher 
shore of the berg, they advanced noiselessly, and 
without being observed by the seals, gazed down 
upon the scene of yesterday’s battle. None of the 
seals seemed to have deserted the fioe, but the ice 
was crowded with the young calves ” and the adult 
parents. Everywhere the mothers might be seen 
ruckling their helpless young, while the males lazily 


248 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


basked in the rays of the setting sun, or occasionally 
indulged in a battle with some rival, which was not 
always a bloodless encounter. 

Among the living lay the mangled corpses of 
yesterday’s hunt, and over each fought and feasted 
a host of gannets, sea-gulls, and cormorants. The 
bodies were hidden from view by the birds, which 
tore with beak and weak palmated talons, at the 
greasy, bloody carcasses, and above these wheeled 
and fluttered a cloud of competitors for a share of 
the spoils. Occasionally a bird bolder than the rest 
would swoop at an unprotected baby-seal, whose 
mother was absent, or had possibly perished the day 
before ; but at once the older amphibia would roar 
in hideous concert, and charge the birds, who seemed 
to understand that they must give up the living prey, 
and confine themselves to their legitimate duties, as 
scavengers of this grand camping- ground of the genus 
PhoccB. 

Returning rather hastily, the party reached their 
quarters just at dusk, and lighting their lamp, made 
some weak, but very hot, coffee, the greatest treat 
which their limited variety of comestibles afforded. 
Peter busied himself with cleaning and inflating a 
number of the larger entrails and membranous viscera 
of the hooded seal. These were for life-preservers, 
and vessels for the preservation of water and oil in 
their anticipated boat- voyage. Regnar cut out no 
less than three pairs of moccason-boots, choosing the 


ICE-CHANGES. - 


249 


thickest skins, and then prepared them with the brain- 
paste for curing in the mild warmth of the air around 
the chimney. Waring cleansed the cooking utensils, 
and made up some bundles of fir-twigs to cover the 
bottom of the boat, and La Salle wrote up his diary? 
sharpened an axe, fitted a strip of pine board for a 
sprit to the blanket sail, and as bedtime drew near, 
went out to take a last look at the weather. 

It was quite cold, and the wind, although light, was 
from the north-west, as near as could be judged with- 
out a compass. As Peter had noted a change of wind 
about midday, the pack had probably again changed 
its course of drift from east to south-east, or, perhaps, 
a point farther south, as the general course of the cur- 
rent in that part of the Gulf ran from south-south- 
east to south. 

Eeturning to his companions, he communicated 
these details, closing by saying, — 

As I think, we are now about due west of the 
Magdalen group ; and if this wind holds, we shall 
probably pass Amherst Island during the next 
twenty-four hours. If in sight, we must try to push 
through the ice to land, for the vrhole shore is in- 
habited. As many sealers should now be in this part 
of the Gulf, we should always be upon the watch for 
them.^’ 

“ I think,’^ said Waring, that we ought to keep 
one man as a lookout on the highest ice in the 
vicinity,’^ 


250 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Pity the great iceberg so far off/* added Regnar. 
Sposum wind hold north-west, and ice keep 
packed, why not go down to-morrow and look 
alound ? asked Peter, quietly. 

“ If these westerly winds hold, there will be no 
danger in so doing, if, as I guess, the pack extends 
from here to the shore of the Magdalens. If so, we 
are not likely to find any sealers to the eastward, 
unless they have got jammed in the pack ; and 
probably that steamer we saw the other day has 
passed to the south, and will make to westward be- 
fore another southerly gale comes to open the ice.^^ 
You right, master,’^ said Regnar. “We go to- 
morrow to berg ; see great waj^s from there, if we 
can get up. ^Nother thing we ought to do — move 
off this floe before next gale, else get house broken, 
and lose many things. 

“ Pooh ! said Waring, carelessly ; “ this berg would 
last a month yet.’^ 

“ I risk this Aice, moreen twenty, tirty feet tick. 
Sea no break this up.’’ 

Orloff’s eyes flashed, and he seemed about to make 
some angry reply, but with a visible effort to restrain 
himself, signed to La^ Salle to follow him, and went 
out of the hut. La Salle found him on the summit of 
the lookout, gazing out over the star-lit sea. 

“ I was angry, and came near forgetting the part I 
play,” said he, bitterly, in French ; “ but they know 
nothing of ice-lore, and I should not be angry at them 


NOTICE TO QUIT 


251 


for believing that this heavy bit of ice, although not 
as large as thosef around us, is equally as safe/^ 

And why is it not ? asked La Salle. 

Because,^^ answered the lad, this floe is of snow- 
ice, probably pierced by dozens of hidden cavities. I 
fancied the other night that I heard a ripple of water 
beneath me, as I have heard it in winter when seek- 
ing the hidden streams beneath the glaciers, but I did 
not hear it again, and may have been mistaken.^* 

Well, we are safe, I suppose, as long as we lie 
deep in the pack.^’ 

Regnar smiled pityingly. 

Do you see the kind of ice which surrounds us 
now — those heavy floes, hard, flinty, and wide-spread, 
and that berg, gigantic, and almost as hard as glass ? 
Well, if we have a heavy blow from the north-west, we 
shall be jammed between the ice now resting on the 
Magdalens and those Greenland monsters yonder, and 
if there is a weak spot in our berg — 

Well, what then, Regnie 

^^We shall be ground to powder, or, at least, our 
berg will ; and in such a break-up, we shall have little 
chance to save anything except our lives.^^ 

What, then, ought we to do ? ” 

We must be ready to move as soon as we crush 
in through this thin ice,” said Regnar, pointing to the 
new ice and broken fragments over which they had 
crossed at dark. Let us put our guns and food in 
the boat, and have her already for use ; by morning 


252 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


we shall have a heavy nip, or a shift of wind, and n; 
either case we ought to change our quarters.’^ 

As they turned to descend the hummock, a crack 
was heard, and a large part of the berg fell with a 
terrible crash. Peter and Waring rushed from the 
hut with cries of terror, and Carlo, whining with fear, 
bounded up the slope, as if to seek protection from 
his master. Regnar was the first to recover his 
coolness. 

Let us see what damage is done now,^^ said he ; 
and descending, he seized an oar and a rope, and 
went to the verge of the chasm. La Salle rushed 
into the hut, lighted his lantern, and joined Regnar, 
who was fastening the rope around his waist. I 
don’t think there is much danger, but if I get in, haul 
me out,” said he, giving the coil into La Salle’s keep- 
ing ; and seizing the lantern, he leaped down upon the 
severed portion. 

Fearlessly moving along the face of the berg, he 
surveyed it as thoroughly as possible by the light of 
his lantern, and at last, approaching the lowest part 
of the wall, called to them to pull sharply on the rope, 
and with its help ascended the berg. 

You are all right just now,” said he, but when a 
strain does come upon us, the cleavage will be right 
through our hut. We had better get our tools into 
the boat, and keep watch during the night, for, with 
the first nip, or heavy sea, we shall no longer have a 
house to cover us.” 


WELCOME SUNRISE. 


253 


It may well be believed but few of the party slept 
much that night, and that the first dawn was hailed 
as a welcome visitant. Itegnar alone, who had been 
the first to give the alarm, was the only one who 
could sleep soundly through the hours not occupied 



vigorous when the welcome sunrise flooded tne east 
witn rosy beams, and cast a magical flood of reflected 
light over every berg and pinnacle. 


254 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

A CHANGE OF BASE. — BUILDING A SNOW-HUT. 
— THE VIEW FROM THE BERG. — A STRANGE 
MEETING. 

REAKFAST over, all decided to re- 
move at once to the higher ice of the 
vast floe occupied by the seals. There 
were a number of reasons why this 
place was chosen, but the principal 
ones were, that it would be likely to 
be sought by sealers, would supply them for a long 
time with food and Are, and would stand almost any 
pressure and a heavy sea, without “ breaking up.’^ 
The boat was accordingly loaded with the weapons, 
tools, and bedding, and run over the intervening ice 
with very little difficulty, although it took a good half 
hour to ascend the ice- slopes, which were steep and 
slippery. Returning, the party took each a seal- skin, 
with the hair side down, and loading them with the 
remaining decoys, fragments of wood, the Esquimaux 
lamp and its chimney, and a part of the flr boughs, re- 
turned again to their new location. 



THE SNOW-HUT. 


255 


Some convulsion of the ice, had strewed the shores 
of this field with piles of young field-ice about a foot 
thick, and with this material Regnar at once com- 
menced operations. While Peter rapidly split off 
cakes about a foot wide and two or three long. La 
Salle and Waring slid them along the ice to Orloff, 
who, furnished with the other axe and a pail of water, 
rapidly built them into walls a foot thick and eight 
feet square. A dash of water soon froze the blocks 
together, and as the material was near at hand, in 
the course of the forenoon walls five feet in height, 
with a single narrow entrance, had been raised. At 
this height the blocks were ordered to be made two 
feet square, and of but half the thickness. 

These were laid fiatways, with their edges not 
quite plumb with the outside edge of the wall, and 
being frozen into place, left an uncovered space about 
five feet six inches square. Returning to the old 
berg, the party took down the shooting-box from the 
top of the cave, and filling it with the remaining 
boughs, and a part of the seal-skins, blubber, &c., 
regained the fioe, and unloading the box, placed it 
as a roof on the new dwelling. A single layer of 
“ ice-bricks,’’ as Waring termed them, was placed 
around its edge, and being thoroughly wetted, formed 
a strong and weather-proof joining ; and shovelling 
the debris from the interior, the lamp was set up and 
lighted, the twigs spread thickly over the icy floor, 
and bringing in their few household goods, the party. 


256 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


tired and hungry, sat down to a lunch of hard bread 
and weak coffee. 

A final trip of all hands brought over the remainder 
of their birds, blubber, and skins, much being drawn 
back on the bottom of the float, which, although 
lessened in width nearly a foot, still retained both its 
runners, and made quite a decent sledge. 

The wind still blew from the north-west, and the 
pack began to show evidences of the pressure of the 
large body of ice to windward ; but La Salle and 
Orloff, although much fatigued, still thought it best 
to try to get a survey of the scene from the great 
berg a little over a mile away. Keeping on the lee- 
ward side of the floes, they reached its base without 
difficulty, and without delay sought a place to ascend. 
Fortunately a large stream of fresh water from above, 
had worn a deep gulch in the huge wall, and up this 
our adventurers managed to climb, although more 
than once each had to use his axe to cut steps in the 
glassy ice. 

Once on the top of the berg, however, they felt 
repaid for the additional fatigue of their journey and 
ascent. Below them to the east, the floes were like 
those they had traversed, covered with seals, and 
about twenty miles away the highlands of Amherst 
Island showed plainly in the crimson light of the de- 
clining sun. 

To the north and west all was ice, and in neither 
direction could either see any signs of the presence 



On the Top of the Berg they felt repaid for the Patiguej 
OF THEIR Journey and Ascent. Page 256. 


T 





VIEW FROM THE BERG. 


257 


of man. To the southward the pack seemed more 
open, and as they watched, they saw the leads grow 
wider, and the pools becoming more frequent. 

We are passing the islands fast,’^ said Regnar, 
and by to-morrow will be well to the south-east 
of Deadman^s Island. Let us descend, for it grows 
colder every moment.’^ 

Turning, they sought the gulch, only pausing a mo- 
ment to view the pond which fed the streams, which 
poured continuously from the sides of this great ice- 
island. It occupied a large depression in the centre 
of the berg, and was estimated by Regnar to occupy 
an area of at least six acres. 

As they turned to go, Regnar^s eye caught sight of 
a floe at the foot of the berg. 

Are not those dead seals yonder ? said he. “ It 
seems to me that I see piles of dead bodies, and skins 
hung on the pinnacles, and then — yes, there is a flag 
on a pole.’^ 

Hastily descending, the two friends ran at full 
speed to the floe. It proved to be as Regnar had 
said. There were hundreds of slaughtered seals, and 
it was evident that, as far as the eye could reach, the 
work of death had been complete. 

Still something had occurred to prevent the hunters 
from securing their rich booty, for huge piles of skins, 
with their adhering blubber, were scattered over the 
ice, and near one was planted firmly in the floe a 
boat-hook, with a small flag at the top. Regnar drew 
17 


258 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


it from the ice, and looked searchingly at flag and 
shaft ; the pennon was of crimson, without lettering or 
private signal, but on the pole was scorched in deep, 
black characters, the legend Str. Mercedes/^ 

Here has been a good day^s work, probably by 
that steamer whose smoke we saw the other day,^^ 
said La Salle ; doubtless she was afraid of being 
nipped by this ice in the last southerly gale, and 
made off in time to avoid it. If so, she will be back 
again after her cargo, when the ice gets south of the 
islands.^’ 

Is that a seal, Charley ? 

The words were simple, but the tone was so unlike 
the usual voice of the speaker, so tinged with awe 
and doubt, that La Salle felt a chill traverse his 
frame as he turned to see what had provoked the 
question. 

Regnar stood on the brink of the only pool of open 
water in sight, gazing earnestly at a floating object 
in the centre, which appeared at flrst sight like a 
dead seal, but a second glance at the shape and size 
of the body revealed the corpse of a man clad in a 
seal- skin coat, and floating on its face. 

It is some poor fellow who has been drowmed in 
passing from one cake to another,^^ said La Salle, 
gravely. Let us examine the body ; perhaps there 
are papers or valuables on it, which will identify it, 
or be of value to its friends. At all events, we can 
give it a more Christian sepulture to-morrow.^^ 


A STRANGE MEETING. 


259 


Regnar gave no answer, but stood motionless as if 
turned into stone. 

Come, Regnar! wake up, man! Surely you are not 
afraid of a poor lifeless body. Bear a hand with that 
boat-hook, or, if you don’t care to touch it, hand it 
to me.^^ 

Starting as if from a trance, Regnar extended the 
long boat-hook and gently drew the body to the 
shore, where La Salle, making a loop of the rope 



they carried, dropped it over the head and shoulders, 
and drawing it tightly under the arm-pits, gave one 
end to Regnar. 

His pockets are turned inside out,^’ said La Salle. 
The man has been murdered,’^ almost whispered 


260 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIEIDS. 


the lad. See what a terrible wound there is in the 
skull.’’ 

Let us land him, any way, Regnar. We will get 
him upon the ice, and to-morrow we can come down 
here and look into the matter. Gently, now ; that’s 
right. Great Heavens ! Regnie, lad, are you mad ? ” 
As the body was landed, turning slowly over on its 
back, exposing a face handsome even in death, Reg- 
nar started, glanced curiously at the features, and 
dropping the line, raised the boat-hook, and with 
every muscle and feature alive with rage and fury, 
seemed about to transfix the senseless body of the 
dead. Then a change came over him ; he lowered 
his arm, dropped the useless weapon, and burst into 
tears. 

Come, Regnie, you are worn out, and it is grow- 
ing late ; let us hasten back to our new hut. To- 
morrow we can return and look after this poor 
stranger.” 

Stranger ! He is no stranger to me. For two 
years I have sought him in both hemispheres, urged 
on by the love of my only relative whom he betrayed, 
and hatred of him which could end but with his life 
or mine. My fondest hope was to find him, my dear- 
est wish to lay him dead at my feet; and thus we meet 
at last.” 

This, then, is the man you have sought, and for 
this you have hidden your true character from all 
men. Is this the gift by which you were to gain, and 
I to lose ? ” said La Salle. 


SECRET SORROWS. 


261 


“ Ask me no more to-night/^ said the boy, whose 
powers of self-control, were only less marvellous than 
the innate force of his intense nature. We have 
none too much light for our homeward way, and to- 
morrow's sun may help us to learn more of the cause 
of his death, and our own duty in the premises. We 
will say nothing to our friends of this dreadful matter, 
and at early dawn we will set off alone to return 
here ; and taking the boat-hook and his weapons, 
Orloff set off with his usual firm step and tireless 
energy. 

It was nearly dusk when they reached the floe, and 
saw at some hundreds of feet distant the moving lan- 
tern that tnlrl that Pp.ter and Waring were anxious 
about th( safety of the:*"" friends. La Salle hardly 
dared tri.st his voice, b.t Orlofi* uttered his well- 
known halloo ; and of the four who were gathered in 
that dwelling of ice, the most cheerful and kindly, 
was he whose dead enemy lay gazing with stony eye- 
balls at the wintry skies, amid a golgotha of animal 
butchery, with the dark impress of a rifle-bullet in the 
centre of his forehead. 

That night the cold north-wester died away, and a 
gentle breeze began to blow from the south. The 
tired Indian and the delicately-nurtured merchant's 
son slept side by side on their leaf- strewn floor, and 
even La Salle, excited and surprised as be had been, 
at last fell into a broken slumber. But when all were 
asleep, and no human eye could pry into his secret 


262 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


sorrows, Regnar seated himself by the flaring lamp, 
and drawing from his breast a locket, took from 
it a small folded paper, and a closely-curled ringlet 
of yellow hair, such as St. Olave, the warrior saint of 
Norway, laid in the lap of the fair Geyra, princess of 
Yendland. 

With many a kiss, passionate and sorrowful, he 
greeted the hidden love-treasures, and many a fall- 
ing tear dimmed the bold eyes, and wet the ruddy 
cheeks of the youthful watcher, as late into the night 
he sat gazing into the flaring flame of that element, 
in which many a sorrowful heart, in its agony, seems 
to find a parallel of the torture it endures, and to find 
a saddened pleasure in the contemplation. But at 
last the watcher turned to his rude couch, and only 
the radiance of the lamp, diffused through the opaline 
walls of the hut, gave evidence of the presence of 
human beings in that desolate, wave-borne, wind- 
driven, desert of ice. 



THE RING. 


263 


CHAPTER XIX. 

THE RING. — THE BURIAL. — A MAUSOLEUM OF 
ICE. 

N the early dawn La Salle started from 
sleep, as he felt a chill touch upon his 
forehead, and saw Regnar standing 
above him, booted and equipped for 
travel. In one hand he held a cup of 
hot coffee, and in the other the breast of a roast 
goose, which he offered to La Salle in silence. Fear- 
ful of awaking their companions, nothing was said by 
either, until, armed and equipped, thej^ issued from 
the hut, and hastened towards the scene of last nighPs 
strange adventure. 

It was the nineteenth of the month, and the ninth 
day of their involuntary voyage, and La Salle, as usual, 
gave a sweeping glance at ice and sky, to determine 
as nearly as possible the direction of their drift, and 
the probable state of the weather for the next twelve 
hours. 

We shall know all that at sunrise,’’ said Regnar ; 
and avoiding the haunts of the seals, they hurried 



264 


ADRIFT IN THE 1C E-FI ELDS. 


through the gray light along the devious windings of 
the ice-foot, until they reached the murdered sealer. 
The body lay as it had been landed on the edge of a 
pool, and was that of a singularly handsome man, 
about forty-five years of age. No beard, save a well- 
kept mustache, covered the sharply-moulded features; 
and even the death- wound — the work of a small- 
sized bullet — had left but a tiny livid discoloration 
on the marble forehead. 

Turning the body over, — a work of some time and 
difficulty, for the wet clothes had frozen, — an expres- 
sion of surprise escaped the lips of Regnar, for the 
rear of the skull, from which the missile had issued, 
was almost blown into pieces. 

How could a bullet have done this ? asked the 
youth, gravely. 

There is but one kind of missile which produces 
such a terrible wound — the percussion rifle-shell, 
perfected years ago by an army officer in India, and 
since then introduced into every part of the globe. 
Into the point of a cylindro- conical slug is inserted 
a thin copper cartridge, loaded with powder, and 
primed with fulminate of mercury. This bullet enters 
the flesh, but explodes when it strikes a bone, and a 
huge mass of bone and muscle is usually driven out 
in front of the issuing projectile. Such a bullet has 
destroyed this man.^^ 

A curious ring on the little finger of the right hand 
attracted the notice of Regnar, who with a glad cry 


THE RING. 


265 


seized the stiffened hand and tried to remove it, but 
the swollen flesh baffled his efforts. 

I must have that ring, La Salle,^^ said he, ceasing 
his futile eflbrts. “ I cannot leave that with his 
body.^’ And taking up his axe, he severed the finger 
at the joint, and removed the circlet. 

La Salle started back in horror at what he could 
but consider a senseless and unwarranted profanation ; 
but Orloff, drawing his knife, made a close search of 
the clothing worn by the deceased, ripping open 
every seam and fold which seemed capable of con- 
cealing the slightest scrap of paper, while his com- 
panion, lost in astonishment and disgust, scorned to 
question, and awaited an explanation of his conduct. 

Beyond the ring, however, little was found, for the 
larger pockets of the deceased were turned inside 
out, the vest had been opened, and a sharp knife had 
evidently cut through the heavy under-garments of 
knitted woollens. No mark of the knife was to be 
seen on the exposed flesh ; and Regnar, breaking the 
oppressive silence, said, — 

Why was this done. La Salle ? 

Perhaps he had a money-belt around his waist. 
Many people carry their money and valuables thus,^’ 
said La Salle, coldly. 

Regnar continued the search, finding in a narrow 
pocket, like that used by carpenters for their rules, 
but opening on the inside of the r.ght pantaloon 
pocket, a long, slender dagger, with double cutting 


266 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


edges. The handle was curiously carved, of walrus 
ivory, and represented an ancient Danish warrior, in 
his mail-shirt, and armed with battle-axe and sword. 
The sheath, slender and flexible, was evidently of 
more modern make, formed of rough shark-skin, with 
richly chased mountings of silver. 

That is all,’’ said Regnar. Let us And him a 
grave.” 

^^We must hide the body surely,” said La Salle, 
for if the vessel returns to get her load, and it is 
found, we may be charged with mutilating the body, 
and perhaps with murder. Let us consign it to the 
sea.” 

We have nothing with which to sink it, and the 
waters have already given up their trust. There, if I 
mistake not, we shall find a tomb worthy of a better 
man than this.” 

A ledge of the iceberg, some forty feet above the 
wave-worn base, had received a tiny branch of the 
fresh- water stream, at some time long previous, and 
its course could still be traced by the immense icicle 
formation, which, in fantastical imagery of a lofty cas- 
cade, seemed still to fall from base to summit. Be- 
tween the ledge and the water were formed huge 
irregular pillars and buttresses of opaline ice, whose 
semi-transparency seemed to indicate the presence 
of a cave beneath. 

Axe in hand, Regnar led the way to the base of the 
berg, and carefully examined every nook and cranny. 


THE BURIAL. 


267 


evidently seeking a concealed opening. A narrow 
aperture was at last found, some twenty feet above 
the ice-pool ; and at the call of his companion, La 
Salle ascended with the coil of rope, one end of which 
he fastened firmly to a projection of the berg. 

Come down here ; there is no danger, said the 
lad ; and descending, La Salle found himself in a cave 
of large size and almost fairy-like beauty. 

Over their heads the ledge projected some twenty 
feet above a floor, levelled by the earlier flow of the 
cascade, which, by some sudden removal of obstruct- 
ing ice or snow, had been projected beyond the little 
pool, whose surface had frozen into a level floor of 
crystal. Over this, as upon the roof and back of the 
cave, had gathered groups of those beautiful congela- 
tions to be found only on newly-formed ice, and in 
seasons of intense cold. Among them were to be 
noticed many minute patterns of the most delicate 
star- crystals, and the surface of the floor was nearly 
covered with congelations of the purest white, resem- 
bling in shape, size, and beauty the leaf of the moss- 
rose. A fantastic conglomeration of irregular, round, 
and convoluted pillars, running into each other in 
indescribable ramifications, formed the outer wall, 
whose semi-translucent crystal, like opal glass, allowed 
the rays of the rising sun to shower a mild and silvery 
radiance upon the hidden wonders of the spacious 
grotto. 

^^Here he will sleep, after a life of crime and treach- 


268 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


ery, in a tomb such as few monarchs can boast of, until 
in some terrible gale, amid tremendous and over- 
whelming seas, this vast fabric shall strew the ocean 
with its ruins, and give his icy form to the monsters 
of the summer seas/’ 

Let us then to our task, Regnar,” said La Salle, 
for our friends may follow on our track, and I fear we 
shall have need of the closest secrecy concerning the 
fate of this unhappy man, at least until we are safely 
landed on civilized shores.” 

Carefully descending the slippery way which led 
up to the aperture, they descended to the level ice, 
and seeking the floe, enveloped the body in one of the 
many seal- skins surrounding them, swathing it closely, 
and binding the hairy covering with strong lashings 
of raw hide, leaving loops at each extremity. Gently 
drawing it to the ice below the aperture, they ran the 
cord through the loops, knotting each firmly, so that 
nearly half the rope projected from each end. 

Taking one end, and setting the shrouded form 
upright against the smooth slope, the companions 
ascended to the aperture, and with some difficulty 
managed to haul up their unwonted burden. 

We can find no footing here,” said Regnar, who 
no longer affected his partial ignorance of English. 

You, I think, had better descend again, and take a 
turn of your end around that pinnacle. I will go 
down into the grotto and guide its descent.” 

By this means the closely-swathed body was gently 



Kneeling beside it, the Lad bowed his Head as ie in silent 

Prayer. Page 269. 









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THE MAUSOLEUM. 


269 


lowered into its last resting-place, and gathering up 
the axes and his rifle, La Salle followed to assist in 
in the flnal rites of sepulture. Regnar pointed to the 
centre of the floor. 

That will furnish a pedestal which would befit 
the sarcophagus of a king.^’ 

Among the irregular mounds formed by the drip- 
ping of water from the roof above, was an ice stalag- 
mite, about five feet high, and seven feet in length, 
broad at the base, but rapidly narrowing to a sharp 
point. Attacking this with his axe, Regnar soon split 
off the point, and commenced hewing the stalagmite 
down to a uniform height of about two feet. La Salle 
assisted, and in the course of twenty minutes they 
had formed a snowy pedestal, whose irregular outline 
bore no small resemblance to that of the burden it was 
to sustain. Regnar cleared away the ice-chips, hurl- 
ing the larger shards to an obscure corner, and carry- 
ing the smaller ones in his reversed fur cap. 

At last the work was completed to his satisfaction ; 
and motioning to La Salle, he cast off the lashings, 
and raising the body, they placed it on the pedestal 
of ice. Drawing the long, slender dagger from its 
sheath, Regnar pierced several holes through the 
corners of the pedestal, and with the tough cords of 
raw hide lashed the body firmly to its spotless support ; 
then kneeling beside it, the lad bowed his head as if 
in silent prayer. La Salle followed his example. 


270 ADRIF7' IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 

For a moment or two he heard nothing but the 
ripple and plash of the ice-brook descending the side 
of the berg fifty yards away ; but with the burial of 
his enemy, the lad’s self-control had deserted him, 
and he burst into a passionate outbreak of sobs and 
tears. 




A STRANGE LIFE-HISTORY, 


271 


CHAPTER XX. 

A STRANGE LIFE-HISTORY. — AMONG THE RED 
INDIANS. 

A SALLE had been, as we have said, 
displeased and disgusted, as well as 
puzzled, by much which had occurred ; 
but his heart melted when he realized 
the sorrow and suffering, which, in 
spite of unusual self-restraint, was thus laid bare be- 
fore him. He threw one arm around the boy’s neck, 
and gently pressed his hand. 

Forgive me, Regnar, if I have been unkind. I 
will be your friend if you desire it. Confide in me, 
and I will try to assist you, if you need aid or 
counsel.” 

You are kind, very kind, Charley ; and perhaps I 
have been wrong in not trusting more in you hereto- 
fore. There is no time, however, like the present, 
and no more secret and fitting place than this burial- 
grot of the cause of all my sorrow.” 

Regnar’s History. 

My father was a Danish youth of good parentage, 
whose strange and roving predilections sent him early 



272 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


in manhood to an outlying station in the north of 
Greenland, where, between his books and the wild life 
of that savage coast, he passed several years, until his 
unpleasant relations with the Danish officials made a 
change desirable, and he sought the Moravian settle- 
ments on the Labrador coast. 

He had plenty of money, and soon became well 
known along the coast, which he searched thoroughly 
in his trading schooner, doing a brisk business in furs, 
seal-oil, and skins, and at the same time making 
frequent metallurgical discoveries and adventurous 
exploring expeditions. It was said that no man on 
the coast knew so much of the topography of Labra- 
dor, between Hamilton Inlet and the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence, and a strange adventure opened to him 
new and startling experiences in the northern central 
portion of Newfoundland, then, as now, almost a terra 
incognita. 

Twenty years ago he made his last voyage down 
the coast, attended by the man who lies yonder, an 
American, named Perry, a native of Baltimore, who, 
it afterwards transpired, fled from that city, having 
killed an opponent in a political quarrel. 

Albert Perr}^ was well educated, bold, and politic, 
and he formed a friendship with my father which 
ended only with life, and, as I believe, served him 
but too faithfully through good and ill, until death 
broke the bond between two men who were not 
fitted to lead the comparatively calm, eventless life 


A STRANGE LIFE-HISTORY. 273 

which the laws of society, and the wants of the many 
prescribe to all ; under penalty of social ostracism to 
the few who scorn to be fettered by a multitude of 
social conventionalities. 

With this man as mate, and a crew of four Esqui- 
maux, my father found himself, in July, in one of the 
little harbors, on the Newfoundland shore, of the 
Straits of Belle Isle. The night was dark, but calm, 
and at about ten he retired, to be awakened an hour 
later by Perry. 

^ Come on deck, captain ; there’s something going 
on up in the mountains yonder that I cannot make 
out.’ 

My father, already half dressed, was soon upon 
deck, and found the whole crew on the after-deck, 
gazing eagerly at the hills, which, covered with 
forest, surrounded the low land at the head of the 
bay. Near the summit of the highest, a fire of large 
size had been kindled, and lit up the dark sky above 
it, and the tops of the surrounding trees, with a deep 
crimson glow, while from time to time unearthly and 
savage cries were borne on the night air to the ears 
of the wondering voyagers. 

“ ^ Have you any idea what that means, captain ? ’ 
asked the American. 

“ ^ What do you say, Krasippe ? ’ said my father, ad- 
dressing a huge -shouldered Esquimaux, grizzled and 
scarred, who had followed his fortunes from Green- 


18 


274 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


land, and knew all the lore of his wandering brethren 
of the Labrador coast. 

“ ^ Me tink it red Injin. Have dance ; deer now 
come north. Marcus Jungsten, down at Hopedale, 
tell me he see such ting five year ago.^ 

^ But the red Indians are all dead, captain,’ said 
Perry, who had spent a year or two on the coast, and 
heard many stories of the unconquerable ferocity and 
final extinction of that strange race — the aborigines 
of Newfoundland. 

^ Such, indeed, is said to be the case, but I have 
met several who have seen and heard similar things, 
such as we hear and see to-night, and they refer them 
to the presence of remnants of that savage and soli- 
tary race. I shall soon know, however. Krasippe, will 
you get your rifie, and go with me ? ’ 

^ I’ll go with you, Hubei,’ said Perry, eagerly. 

But my father stopped, and said, gravely,- — 

^ There is too much of danger in this adventure 
for us both to risk our lives at once. Krasippe be- 
longs to me. I have saved his life half a score of 
times, but I have no claim on you ; and, besides, the 
vessel must be taken back to Hopedale, and you 
must stay to do it ; ’ and so saying, he retired to his 
cabin. 

When he returned, he carried in his hand a light 
rifle and a number of glittering wands, while a row 
of bright medals shone against the thick pile of a 
close-fitting robe of black velvet, and upon his head 


A STRANGE LIFE-HISTORY. 


275 


a cap of the same material, encircled by a strip of 
ermine, bore a single red feather, with an agraffe of 
diamonds. 

^ I have done wonders with this dress, amid the 
fire-rocks of the Nasquapees. Krasippe, old fellow, 
are you ready ? ’ 

Krasippe, grinning from ear to ear, nodded assent, 
and launching the captain^s boat, — a light wherry for 
two pairs of sculls, — they pushed off from the ves- 
sePs side. 

^ Watch that spot,’ said Hubei, ^ and if you see the 
stars of this Roman candle, launch your boat, and come 
to the shore at once. Vasa there,’ pointing to a huge 
Danish hound, ^ will find me for you, if need be.’ 

An hour or two later. Perry saw the stars of green 
and crimson shooting through the lurid cloud into 
the midnight sk3^ A rifle-shot echoed through the 
valley and across the bay, and the fire was instantly 
extinguished. Perry, who had prepared everything 
for such an emergency, pushed off in his boat at once, 
taking his three men, all well armed, and Vasa, the 
great hound. Pulling at full speed, they struck in for 
the shore, and at last found the captain’s boat hauled 
upon the beach. Taking the leash of the hound in 
his left hand. Perry sprang ashore, ordered his men 
to secure the boat, and lighting a dark lantern 
secured to his belt, he gave the word to Vasa, who 
set off, with an eager whine, at such a pace that it 
was bard to keep up with him. 


276 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


In about half an hour they emerged into a large 
glade, and the hound stopped with a low howl over 
a prostrate body. It was that of Krasippe. He was 
lying on his face, with a deep gash on the shoulder, 
and a bruise on the top of the skull, but still breathed, 
although insensible. Perry, who doubted not that 
Hubei would be found near the body of his faithful 
follower, let slip the chain from Vasa’s collar, and he 
at once darted off into the darkness, while Perry, 
drawing the slide of his bull’s-eye, and pistol in hand, 
carefully examined the glade. 

He found the remains of a large fire, some ten 
feet in circumference, still steaming with the water 
used to quench it, a few fragments of venison, as well 
as a hatchet-head of white quartz, broken from its 
helve, not far from where Krasippe had received his 
wound ; but they looked in vain for their captain. 

Morning had just dawned when Vasa reappeared, 
and wagging his tail, came up to Perry. Around his 
neck was looped a piece of birch bark, on opening 
which Perry found the following note : — 


“‘Among the Indians — Midnight. 

^ I take my pencil to send you what may be my 
final directions, for as yet I am doubtful as to what 
may be my fate. Poor Vasa was about to be killed, 
as they dare keep no dogs ; but I take advantage of 
his old tricks to send him to you. Take the vessel 
to Hopedale, and use her as if you were managing 


A SmANGE LIFE-HISTORY. 


277 


her for me, and next year at this time await me here. 
I have such an opportunity as no other man has had 
to learn the truth about these savages, and I risk my 
life willingly on the chance. 

(Signed) ^^^Paul Hubel.’ 

Perry seized Vasa^s collar and knotted the leash, 
then, turning to his men, ordered them to take up 
Krasippe and carry him down to the shore, where, 
launching the boat, they returned to the vessel. The 
next day they made sail, but it was several days 
before Krasippe recovered suflSciently to detail his 
portion of the adventure, which ran somewhat as fol- 
lows : — 

^ Me land with capten. We go up hill trough de 
hood. We see ten, twelve. Injin almos^ naked, eatin’, 
drinkin^, dancin’, an’ yell like debbil. Capten say. 
Stay here, Krasippe ; I get hind bush.” Capten 
creep trough bush, light cannle, an’ bust out trough 
circle to middle of fire. I see fifty Injin fright dat 
way. Dose Injin not frighten much. I see one man 
jump on capten, trow him down, raise hatchet to kill 
him. Then one girl catch at his arm, an’ I fire my 
rifie. Then I see no more until I wake up.’ 

^ Well, Krasippe, the captain is alive, and we are 
to meet him here in a year from now. In the mean 
time we’ll try to navigate the Thyri, and make as 
much money for the skipper as we can ; ’ and well he 
kept his word. 


278 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


A year later the Thyri crept again into the rock- 
bound haven, and for a week Perry and his crew 
watched by night and day for his friend. At last, 
one evening they saw a fire on the shore opposite 
the vessel, and rowing ashore, a strange figure rushed 
to meet Perry, saying, ^ I am here at last.^ 

It was Hubei, but he was clad in tanned deer- 
skins, ornamented with the dyed quills of the porcu- 
pine, and his face and naked breast were painted with 
a mixture of deer-suet and ochre, while from his 
hair, long, unshorn, and gathered into a knot, waved 
a plume of the war-eagle. His story I give in a few 
words. 

^ I advanced cautiously, intending to surprise and 
awe the Indians, as I have before done with the 
heathen savages, who still hunt beyond the head 
waters of the Mistassini, in the Labrador peninsula. 
As Krasippe told you, I failed ; but the strange garb 
that I wore, and the interposition of a woman, saved 
my life for the time being, and the wonders of my 
magic wands added to the first impression, and gave 
me an importance I could have acquired in no other 
way. The riches and weapons of the whites have no 
charms for them, and the memory of their massacred 
and hunted relatives will never die until the last of 
the race sleep amid the islands of the great lakes of 
the interior ; but when they saw me shake coals of fire 
at will from a wand filled with pyrophoric lead, they 


A STRANGE LIFE-HISTORY, 


279 


felt at once that I must be of another race than their 
persecutors. 

“ ^ So they took me with them to the south, along 
the trail of the migrating reindeer ; they gave me the 
best of their simple food and raiment, and the girl 
who saved my life came to my lodge, and served me 
with a love that I can never forget. She died in 
childbirth two months ago, and when I left the tribe 
to return to my own people, her father wanted to keep 
the infant, and at last I consented that he should re- 
main with him a year longer. Give me a token,^^ 
said I, and when, a year from now, you follow the 
deer northward, seek the bay, and if a vessel lies 
there at anchor, look each day in the glade for the 
signet of our bond. When you find it, leave the babe 
beside it, and I will take him across the ocean, and 
teach him to be wise and brave ; then he shall come 
back to his tribe, and help them to become again a 
happy and powerful people.^^ ^ 

The Thyri went northward, and Hubei was re- 
ceived as one who returns from the dead ; but none 
save his mate knew the whole story of his wan- 
derings. 

^ I have sworn to tell no one,’ he said, in reply 
to all questionings, ^ and should I break my oath, it 
would, in all human probability, cost the lives of the 
few remaining warriors of that unfortunate race. 
The people of Newfoundland can never blot out the 


280 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


memory of their past cruelties, and any party who 
strives to penetrate to their wilderness fastnesses, 
must either kill or be killed.^ 

Before the next year elapsed, Hubei was sum- 
moned back to Denmark, having succeeded to his 
father^s property ; but before leaving Hopedale, he 
had a final interview with his chief officer. 

^ I give you. Perry, the Thyri and all her outfit, 
as well as the goods I have here, on one condition. 
You must keep the tryst I cannot keep, and bring 
the child you know of to the settlement at Hopedale. 
I have spoken to brother Hans, who will see after 
him until I send or come for him.^ 

^ I will do your bidding, Paul ; but I shall not stay 
upon this coast after that job is over. There will be 
nothing to keep me in this desolate land after you 
leave it ; ’ and tears glistened in the eyes of that 
cool, cynical, worldly-minded adventurer, for he really 
loved my father. 

^ When your work is done here, Albert, come to 
me in Denmark. There is enough for us both, and 
we have been so long together, that we shall never 
be happy apart. Will you come ? ^ 

u Perry said nothing, but pressing the hand of his 
friend with painful energy, he rushed up the beach, 
and seeking the hill behind the little settlement, 
watched the ship as she sailed out of the firth and 
disappeared in the gathering twilight. The next 
summer he sought the appointed spot, and left this 


A STRANGE LIFE-HISTORY, 


281 


talisman tied to the top of a bush, which stood alone 
almost in the centre of the glade/^ 

La Salle curiously examined tlie ring, whose gold 
circlet of European manufacture held securely an oval 
bit of jasper, on whose polished surface was cut the 
rude outline of a beaver wounded with an arrow. 

“ The next day he went again : the stone had disap- 
peared ; but two arrows, headed with flint, lay beside 
the bush, one pointed to the interior, the other to the 
shore. ^ I suppose that means I go, I return,’^ said 
he ; and I shall And the child here to-morrow night.^ 

He was right in his conjectures, for on going to 
the spot the next night, he found beneath the bush a 
little boy clad in a strange melange of Indian flner}^, 
and the bizarre attire worn by Paul Hubei when 
he set out on his strange adventure. That child was 
myself’^ 

La Salle had listened to the strange story with 
amazement, which increased as it progressed. 

“ You tell me, Eegnie, though, only of good deeds 
and faithful services rendered by the dead. You say 
that he loved your father, and served him faithfully as 
long as he lived. 

Regnar took up the word in bitter wrath, strangely 
mingled with regret. 

As long as he lived — yes ! But listen only until 
the end, and you shall judge for yourself of my justice 
to the memory of the dead. 

On the breast of the babe lay the talisman, and a 


282 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


fac-simile, pierced and suspended by a cord round the 
child’s neck, lay beneath its clothing. See, I wear 
it still, and shall wear it until I meet again with my 
mother’s people. 

I must hasten to end my story. I was taken to 
Hopedale, where I remained ten years, at the end of 
which time Perry was sent from Europe to take me 
to my father, who had taken to his home a daughter 
born of an earlier marriage, whose mother, unable 
to understand the caprices of my father, had returned, 
almost broken-hearted, to her father’s house, and died 
during his voluntary exile in Greenland. 

I spent four years in Europe, studying most of the 
time at Bonn ; and then my father sent for me, and I 
lived another year on his estate, learning all that 
I could of the various handicrafts and avocations, 
especially the best modes of agriculture. At the end 
of the fifth year, he called me into the library, and 
spoke to me as follows : — 

^ You are now sixteen years of age, and you know 
that I have given you opportunities such as are sel- 
dom lavished on young men of your age. I would 
like to keep you with me longer, but I have told you 
of your mother, and the sufferings of her people. It 
is my wish that you should visit them within two 
years, and I have imparted to you much knowledge 
of their mode of life and government. Spend one 
year at Hopedale, and learn the lore of the fisher- 
man and the craft of the hunter ; and when I shall 


A STRANGE LIFE-HISTORY, 


283 


send you this ancient weapon, you will find within 
its hilt all that I dare not commit to paper, or the lips 
of my messenger.^ 

The week after, I sailed for Hopedale ; but before 
the year of my stay had elapsed, I learned from a 
friend’s letter of the sudden death of my father. ^ I 
suppose that your father’s friend and your sister have 
joined you in America, and that you will be consoled 
somewhat for your loss by their affection, and your 
changed fortunes.’ 

Thus ran the letter ; but it was not until the ar- 
rival of the fall ship that I learned that my father was 
indeed no longer living, and that fully six months had 
elapsed since my sister, accompanied by the man who 
lies yonder, had set out to join her half brother, 
whom she had never seen, and to share with him 
the personal fortune of their common father ; for the 
hereditary acres could not, by the laws of Denmark, 
fall to my lot, but went to the next nearest male 
relative. 

Since that time I have sought everywhere for 
tidings of my sister’s fate, or news of the whereabouts 
of that man. I heard of him once as a slaver, and a 
year ago I learned of his having been seen on this 
coast. I have but one more explanation to make, 
and that is of the strange statement I made to you, 
when we stood alone looking across the moonlit 
waste of the drifting pack. 

About a month before you hired me at the trading 


284 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


post, I met Krasippe, now a very old man, and claim- 
ing some power as a prophet, or ^ angekok,’ among 
his people ; for, although Christianized, they have not 
thrown off many of their old superstitions. He took 
me in his arms and wept over me, and growled a 
bitter curse on the treachery of his old associate. 
Then he appeared lost in deep thought, which seemed 
to absorb every sense, and his countenance became 
almost terrible in its fixed expression. At last, as if 
by no volition of his own, he uttered, in low, stern 
tones, the following rhapsody : — 

^ You will meet in the desert of ice the man who 
will lead you to your hearths dearest wish. He shall 
lose, and you will gain.^ 

La Sallees face was pale, and his lips firmly set, as 
he listened to the ending of this strange recital ; but 
he took up the broken chain of evidence, with the 
firm intention of finding the missing links. 

Did you read my letter because you thought that 
Miss Randall might prove to be your sister ? 

Yes, Charley, I did. Her name was Pauline 
Hubei. She was named after our father, Paul Hubei. 
My name is Regnar Orloif Hubei. 

Well, Regnie, all I can tell you now is, that the 
young lady’s English is not the best in the world, 
and that she is an orphan child. Of the where- 
abouts of her adopted father she knows nothing, but 
in a book which I took up there one day, I found writ- 
ten, ^ A. P. Randall ; ’ and Mrs. Randall said — ” 


LEAVING THE CAVE. 


285 


What ? asked Regnar, hoarsely. 

That it belonged to her brother. Now, Regnie/’ 
said La Salle, kindly, you know all that I can tell 
you. Perhaps you may find in the hilt of yonder 
antique weapon the clew to much more. But we 
have other duties to perform ; and first, how shall we 
seal up this cave so that no one can possibly suspect 
our having entered this place. That Peter has the 
eyes of a lynx, and should he follow us, would not fail 
to discover all.^^ 

In an hour hence,’’ said Regnar, no human being 
can stand where we are now, and you can walk the 
stanchest hound over the ledge, without his dream- 
ing of what lies beneath. Come up to the top of 
the berg.” 

Taking their equipments, they left the grotto, and 
issued through the narrow entrance. Regnar pointed 
to a shelving path, like a shallow groove in the face 
of the clilF. 

Can we climb there ? ” said he. 

I should think so,” answered La Salle ; and tak- 
ing an axe and the end of the rope, he began to 
ascend the cliff along the shelving pathway. As he 
ascended, he heard behind him the blo^vs of an axe, 
and, turning, saw Regnar cut a narrow cleft from the 
entrance of the cove to the level of the way to the 
top of the berg. Are you mad,” asked La Salle, 
that you scatter your chips about the berg like that, 
and into the very pathway ? ” 


286 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Eegnar gave a finishing stroke to his work, and 
came lightly up the path. 

I shall finish my work above/^ said he ; and in a 
moment more they stood upon the summit. 

The brink of the pool lay near the edge of the cliff, 
and without stopping to look around him, Regnar 
commenced cutting a deep, narrow gutter from the 
pathway to the huge reservoir. As he struck the 
blows which shattered the thin wall of ice between 
the pool and its new outlet, the water poured in a 
stream a foot deep through the little canal, and down 
the slanting ledge into the cavern below. 

I understand it now,’^ said La Salle, and I now 
know why you lashed the body to its support.^^ 

Yes,’^ answered the boy, coolly, should any try 
to break into yonder tomb to-morrow, they would do 
so at the risk of their lives ; but if we have a week of 
frost, the cove will be full to its outlet of solid ice.^’ 
But, Regnar, let us think of something else. , 
Where are the islands we saw last evening? We 
ought now to be near the southern shore of the 
group.” 

We have been wedged off to sea by stranded ice, 

I should judge ; for there, about fifteen miles to the 
northward, lies Amherst Island.” 



NORTHWARD AGAIN 


287 


CHAPTER XXI. 

NORTHWARD AGAIN. — THE STEAMER. — TAKING 
TO THE BOAT. 

ES, Regnar, we are now on the outer 
side of the pack, and the wind has 
shifted to the southward again. Look 
to the eastward, Regnie. Has not the 
pack broken up there ? 

Yes, the tide sets to the eastward, 
and the wind blows the heavy ice northward as soon 
as it clears the eastern shoals. See that berg going 
to pieces on Hoyle^s Reef ! 

As he spoke, the berg, a small one, worn by sun 
and rain into a multitude of fantastic pinnacles, swung 
off from its easterly drift, and, wafted by the wind, 
rapidly floated towards the concealed reef, whose 
sharp and hidden rocks can only be suspected during 
the prevalence of the heaviest storms. With a mod- 
erate rate of speed, not much exceeding two knots an 
hour, the massive base of the ice-island suddenly 
rose, as the shelving rocks received the irresistible 
impact. Then a few glittering pieces dimpled the 



288 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


surface of the unruffled water. It was the signal of 
impending dissolution. Crash upon crash, like the 
roar of artillery, echoed and re-echoed among the 
floes, and rent from base to pinnacle, the majestic 
frost- castle fell into utter ruin, torturing the sea into 
foam, while the billows raised by the rocking of the 
huge fragments swept up the narrow walls, sweep- 
ing right across many of the lower floes, and even 
raising a slight ripple around the base of the great 
berg itself. 

We must return, Regnie. The clouds are darken- 
ing fast, and fog or a thick scud is sweeping up from 
the southward. Let us have one more look for the 
steamers, and then we must away to our friends.^’ 

There is a steamer on the outer edge of the pack, 
I think. You will see her smoke in line with the 
East Point yonder.” 

Yes, Regnie, that is a steamer, sure enough, and 
she will make her way to the centre of the pack. Let 
us hasten to the floe and take to the boats. We can 
perhaps reach her by rowing through the narrow 
leads before the gale rises.” 

Hastening down the side of the watercourse they 
descended the berg, and set ofi* along its base, in the 
direction of the hut. As they passed they gave a 
last glance at the sealer’s tomb. Down the path 
they had ascended, dashed an overflowing torrent, 
which disappeared with a whirl and hollow gurgle 
into the yawning aperture, while the whole front of 


TAKING TO THE BOAT 


289 


the wall which they had ascended, dripped with water 
and glittered with spray. 

The keenest eye among the hunters of the Mistas- 
sini could not uncover that trail ; and known to God 
and us alone is the bloody mystery of the Deadman’s 
Berg.’^ 

“ Don’t talk of that again, Regnie. Let the dead 
rest. Perhaps it may yet transpire that he was peni- 
tent at the last, and you may have good reason to 
rejoice that you knelt beside his last bed, in a tomb 
so wondrously beautiful.” 

We must hasten faster, Charley, for the fog is 
coming, and we may find the floes separated. Re- 
member our friends know nothing of all we have seen 
and heard, and to them I am still Regnar Orloff, half 
educated, and a simple pilot of the Labrador.” 

With increased speed the pair pressed forward, 
crossing with difficulty the gulf, which had opened 
between the berg and the first heavy floe. Pole in 
hand, with one end of the rope attached to his belt, 
and his gun slung at his back, Orloff led the way, 
while La Salle followed at the other end, carrying an 
axe in his belt, and another in his hand. Luckily 
many large fragments lay floating in the first lead, 
and prevented from slipping by their sharp cram- 
pets,” they leaped from cake to cake, and safely 
reached the second floe. 

The mist clung damp to their faces as they attained 
the end of the second floe, v/here a lead of water 

19 


290 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


some twenty yards in width, and clear of ice, inter- 
vened between them and the next. The quick eye 
of Regnar cauglit sight of a small ice-cake floating by 
the windward side of their floe, and leaping upon it, 
with pole and hands they shoved it along the steep 
walls of ice, and with their united force gave it a flnal 
impetus in the desired direction. The fragment 
whirled and bent beneath them, until the water stood 
above their ankles; but just as they began to fear a 
complete submersion, Orlofif caught a projection of 
the fleld with his boat-hook, and the two landed in 
safety. 

As they hurried across the last floe, the rain fell, 
and the wind blew heavily, dashing huge cakes 
against the windward side with a ceaseless crashing 
of broken ice. Before they could reach the end of 
the fleld, they saw their own turn as if on a pivot, and 
grind slowly past the leeward point of the one across 
which they pressed at full speed. Their efibrts were 
in vain, for before they could reach the verge their 
refuge was twenty feet distant ; but Regnar was equal 
to the emergency. 

Cast loose your rope, Charley,^’ said he ; and in 
five seconds he had coiled and whirled it twenty feet 
across the intervening chasm, to Peter, who seized 
and retained it. Now, La Salle, follow me,^^ he 
cried ; and springing upon a floating fragment, he bal- 
anced himself with his pole until he reached a more 
stable support farther from the berg. 


THE PACK OPENS. 


291 


The impetus, however, carried him too far away, 
and La Salle had to choose between committing him- 
self to a fragment without rope or pole, to be tossed 
about by the rising sea, or to wait until Regnar should 
reach the floe, and return for him in the boat. He 
chose the latter, but soon had the pleasure of seeing 
Regnar safely landed on the floe, from whence, in 
almost less time than it takes to tell it, the three 
launched their boat and paddled up to the place 
where La Salle awaited their arrival, intently watch- 
ing the performance of their improvised life-boat. 

He noted with pleasure that she drew little water, 
and that the light paddles drove her through the 
short, toppling sea with considerable speed, while 
her weather-boards prevented the shipping of any 
water. Leaping aboard, they soon crossed the narrow 
lead, and running under the lee of the ice-hills, drew 
their boat to the hut. 

If you have anything you want to be sure to 
keep, stow it in the boat,^^ was La Sallees flrst order, 
as he saw the sea begin to dash across the windward 
end of the floe, while, whining with fear, the young 
seals were shoved and pushed, by the flippers of 
their dams, farther and farther up on the higher ice, 
until, tamed by fear, they surrounded the little hollow 
containing the hut. 

Food, weapons, clothes, and ammunition were all 
deposited in the boat, as well as her mast, sail, and 
paddles, while her painter, attached to her sharp- 


292 


AD7UFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


pronged grapnel, lay coiled on her half-deck forward. 
All that afternoon the wind and sea arose, until, amid 
the drenching rain, they could hear around them 
the clamor of the terrified seals, the continual crash 
of breaking ice, and the sough of the heavy sea, 
whose spray drove over them in constantly increasing 
showers. 

At last an occasional wave came into the lower part 
of the little hollow, and all thought that the end was 
near. 

We must take to the boat,^’ said Eegnar. 

But La Salle pointed to the ghostly crests of the 
surrounding seas ; and bowing his head upon his 
breast, Orloff signified to his friend that he acknowl- 
edged the hopelessness of that resource. Just then a 
darker blackness seemed to gather to windward, as a 
shriller blast whistled by them ; and as all awaited the 
increased fury of the elements which were to end the 
unequal struggle, the wind seemed to abate, and the 
waves sullenly retired from the surface of the fioe. 
The rain still swept fiercely upon the drenched 
wanderers, and on their lee they could still note the 
crash of ice-islands, amid the sweep of the angry 
waves. 

But above them, huge, unbending, and majestic, 
towered a lofty pile, shrouded in darkness, through 
which at times gleamed the weird white outline of 
some snow-incrusted ledge. 


SHELTERED BY THE BERG. 


293 


Are we under the lee of Amherst Island ? asked 
Regnar, in a voice which all could hear. 

La Sallees answer came below his breath, and only 
Regnar heard, or could comprehend its meaning : — 
The dead are the defence of the living, and we 
are under the lee of Deadman^s Berg.^^ 

Safe from the rage of the elements, but cold, wet, 
and hungry, the adventurers sought the shelter of 
their hut, which still stood unhurt ; but the fir branches 
of the fioor were soaked with water, for a wave or two 
had risen above the ledge of the door. After much 
diflSculty, with the aid of a candle, the Esquimaux 
lamp was lighted, and after much sputtering, the 
six wicks difiused their cheering light and grateful 
warmth through the hut. Then Peter, with his axe, 
cut a gutter through the doorway,' letting ofi* the 
standing water, and in the course of an hour the 
boughs were comparatively dry. 

Taking from the boats the dry skins and coverlets, 
the part}^ lay down to rest, leaving Peter to keep 
watch lest they should again drift from their haven, 
and be exposed to the pitiless seas. All took their 
spell of duty ; but the cheerless night passed without 
further incident, and the day found them still under 
the shadow of the great berg. As the day advanced, 
the storm swept the pack northward, and the party, 
ascending the berg, saw, one by one, the isolated 
crags of the island chain of the Magdalens loom at 


294 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


times through the driving scud, as they drove north- 
ward. Six or eight miles away they saw the masts 
of a vessel deep in the heart of the floe. 

When the storm is over and the pack opens, we 
must take our boat and reach that sealer,^^ said La 
Salle ; and taking the range of her position, the four 
sought their hut, and building a huge fire of all their 
remaining wood, prepared all the cooked meat which 
they could carry, filled the seal-membranes with oil, 
and awaited the lull of the storm and the opening of 
the pack. 

At sunset the storm had broken, the clouds began 
to disappear, and through their rifts the stars glim- 
mered, and the new moon shone palely beautiful. 

^^We shall not pass the North Cape much before 
morning,^^ said La Salle, and until then the pack will 
not open. When it does we are ready ; so sleep, and 
I will watch.^^ 

His tired comrades flung themselves down, and 
were almost instantly asleep. As the dawn ap- 
proached the wind lessened, and as the day broke, 
he called Kegnar, and again ascended the berg. 

On the right hand towered the rock-bound coast of 
the northern islands and the isolated crags of Bryon. 
And as they looked northward they saw the pack 
opening again: as it issued from under the lee, a 
black cloud of smoke rose from the sealer’s funnel, 
but instead of steering east or west, she was evidently 
heading for the great berg. 


THE STEAMER. 


295 


Shall we await them here, or take our boat and 
try to reach them, Regnar?’^ asked La Salle. 

Wait a little longer, and then, when the ice opens, 
push a little more to the eastward, and work down to 
meet the vessel,’^ said the lad, who proceeded to 
examine the dagger so strangely returned to his 
keeping. The blade unscrewed at the cross-piece of 
the hilt, which was hollow, and contained many papers 
closely compressed into a single roll. Regnar ran his 
eye over the contents, and selecting one, returned the 
rest to their odd receptacle. This paper, Charley, 
contains an inventory of the property confided to 
Perry, to be equally divided between my half-sister 
and myself.^’ And he proceeded to translate the items 
of the inventory. It is hardly worth while to give 
this paper in full ; suffice it to say that besides various 
pictures, books, arrows, weapons, sets of plate, jewels, 
and other heirlooms, ^ stored in care of Nicholas Orloff, 
my mother’s brother,’ there appeared a schedule of 
moneys and bonds amounting to nearly one hundred 
thousand dollars. ^ These funds have been com- 
mitted,’ the paper went on to say, ^ to my faithful 
friend Albert Perry, whom I commend to your good 
offices and implicit trust.’ ” 

As he ceased reading, the boy’s face was turned to 
the ice-cliff, where the plashing water flowed in a 
huge sheet, like a falling veil, over the face of the 
berg, shutting out from sight the twining pillars and 
iiarrow entrance of the sealer’s tomb. 


296 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


I have rendered him the last ‘ good office/ said 
he. It only remains to seek yonder vessel, and find 
out who spoiled the spoiler, and, if possible, recover 
the valuables and papers taken from Perry^s body.^^ 
There is the steamer heading this way,^’ said La 
Salle, and the leads are fast opening. Let us 
descend to the floe, and by the time we have break' 
fasted, we shall find ample room between the fields to 
let us pass in safety.^^ 

Descending, they found their comrades already at 
breakfast, and by the time the meal was disposed of, 
their floe lay surrounded by one of the leads of open 
water, which showed scarce a vestige of the heavy 
seas of the late gale. For the last time they packed 
their few valuables into the boat, and stowing Carlo 
away under deck, took their allotted places, dipped 
their paddles into the open water, and with rapid 
strokes threaded the narrow channels, scaring the timid 
seals from their path, and noting on every hand scenes 
of life and beauty, for amid the opening pack the 
varied life of the Bird islands around them met their 
view. Screaming gannets wheeled in clouds over 
their heads, and portly murres started up heavily 
from the frequent pools, into which they broke with 
flashing paddles, and laughter, such as they had never 
before indulged in since their first misadventure. 

Guided by the pillar of black smoke, which, wind- 
ing this way and that, ever drew nearer and 
nearer, they came at last to an open pool, nearly a 



“In his Hands La Salle waved the Banner.” 

Page 297. 



RESCUED, 


297 


quarter of a mile or more in length. On the opposite 
side, above a small floe, they saw the prow of the 
advancing vessel. Evidently she had met with a 
check, for as they gazed they heard the tinkle of the 
engine bell, and saw her iron-sheathed bow recede 
behind the fantastic outlines of the pinnacle. 

Will she leave us?^^ asked Waring, with trem- 
bling lips. 

They only back to run down that floe. See 
now.^^ 

The next moment Regnar^s prediction was veri- 
fled. A blacker cloud of smoke, shot with sparks, 
poured from the funnel ; the huge hull rapidly ad- 
vanced, her raking prow, with its iron armor, piercing 
the waves like the blade of the sword-fish. There 
was a crash, a momentary glimpse of falling ice and 
splitting walls, and the next moment the noble 
steamer came at half speed across the open water, 
just as the little boat shot out of the sheltering lead. 

In his hands La Salle waved the banner attached 
to the boat-hook, which had marked the deserted 
heaps of seal-skins. But it needed not: the pilot 
rang his bell, and the sealer became motionless in the 
centre of the pool. As they came alongside, a stout, 
full-bearded man, in a Guernsey frock, threw them a 
rope, and hailed the strange little craft : — 

What, do’ee want, friends, and where do^ee hail 
from ? 

We are sportsmen, carried off, by the ice, in the 


298 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


straits, eleven days ago. We want food, and a pas- 
sage home, for which we will pay.’^ 

Well, if ivir I heerd of de like of dat ! Come 
aboord, my men. De captain^s sick, but dere^s plinty 
to ate here, and ye won^t mind close quarters, after 
your vige on de ice/^ 

No, indeed, sir ! said La Salle. Tumble up, 
my men. Take your guns and your coats with you. 
Here, Nep ; up that ladder, sir. That^s right. Can 
you take our boat aboard ? 

Come right up, sur ; dere’s no fear of her. I'll 
have her aboord in tin minutes. Here comes de 
mate. What’s your name, sur ? La Salle ? Yis, sur ! 
Mister Blake, sur ; Mister La Salle, sur.” 

Happy to see you, Mr. La Salle. I’ve learnt 
enough about you to know that you have been adrift 
nearly two weeks, and as dinner’s ready we must 
have you into the cabin. I am sorry that but one 
berth is vacant, and your friends will have to take 
their chance in the forecastle.” 

If you please, I had rather have you extend your 
courtesy to Mr. George Waring, a son of Mr. Albert 
Waring, of C., who does a large business with your 
St. John’s fishing firms. He has been the only one of 
us who has been sick, and — ” 

There, Mr. Blake,” interposed Waring, don’t 
listen to him ; take him with you. Why, I am as 
strong as an ox now, and you’ll find him far better 
company than I am.” 


THE SEALERS S CABIN, 


299 


Passing aft through gangways crowded with 
brawny, hardy-looking sealers, La Salle followed his 
conductor to the cabin, where he found six or eight 
men gathered around a table plentifully supplied with 
the usual provisions found on board ships in the mer- 
chant service. After being introduced to all present, 
who greeted him with a rude civility, Mr. Blake 
invited him to fall to and help himself.^^ 

It is needless to say that he required no pressing 
in this direction. Hard tack and salt horse,^^ 
with potatoes, soft bread, and chicory coffee sweet- 
ened with molasses, seemed food fit for the gods, 
after the greasy meat-diet of the last eleven days ; 
and his companions considerately refrained from ques- 
tioning him until his hunger was satisfied. At last 
he drew back his chair, lit a cigar ofiered him by one 
of the oflScers, and turning to the mate said, laugh- 
ingly,— 

Fire away, gentlemen — I^m ready.^’ 

After narrating the principal events of their voyage 
so far as he deemed prudent, he concluded as fol- 
lows : — 

Two or three days ago we fell in with large seal- 
ing-fioes, and among them one where a sealer had 
killed several hundred seals. A boat-hook, which 
you will find in our boat, bore this signal. Am I 
right in supposing that this is the name of your ves- 
sel ? and so saying he drew from his pocket the tiny 
pennon. 


300 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


It is ours, and we have been trying for a week to 
recover our skins, as well as the body of Captain Ran- 
dall, whom we lost eight days ago/^ 

Not a muscle of La Salle’s face betrayed any emo- 
tion save that of interest, as he asked, — 

Lost your captain ! And how, pray ? ” 

At that moment a noise was heard in the inner 
cabin, as if several men were struggling ; all at once 
the door flew open, and, with difficulty restrained by 
the utmost efibrts of two powerful men, a pale, 
unshorn face, surmounting a wild and scantily- 
dressed flgure, appeared to the party, none of whom 
started save La Salle, who almost fancied that the 
dead man, sealed up in the caverns of the ice, had come 
back again to his quarters on board the Mercedes. 
Crying out, I couldn’t save him ! I couldn’t save 
him ! ” the intruder was dragged, struggling and 
raving, back to his berth. 

Poor George ! he takes the death of his brother 
sadly to heart. He was mate, and the other day they 
left the floe together, to ascend a large berg at some 
distance from our whaling- ground. We saw them on 
the top, after which they disappeared, going to the 
opposite side by which they had ascended. Shortly 
after we heard several rifle shots flred in quick suc- 
cession, and then George came running towards us, 
shouting that his brother had fallen between the floes, 
and was drowning. 

We ran to the spot, and found a place between two 


THE SEALER^S CABIN, 


301 


floes where the ice was much broken up, as if some one 
had tried to catch something with a boat-hook ; and 
Randall told us that his brother had fallen through 
and been carried under the ice before he could get to 
him. We broke the ice all around, but to no purpose ; 
and then our lookouts discovered that we were in 
danger of getting nipped on the other side of the 
Magdalens. So we returned to the ship with George, 
sadly enough.^’ 

Why were the rifle-shots flred ? to call for assist- 
ance ? asked La Salle. 

“Yes. None of our men have the rifle, although 
many are supplied with the old sealing- gun. We 
therefore agreed among the officers that three shots, 
fired in rapid succession, should call assistance in case 
of danger, or trouble with the men. Our rifles are all 
breech-loading carbines, and we can fire with great 
rapidity.^’ 

“ Do you find them of service among the seals ? ’’ 

“Yes, especially with the ^old hoods;’ and poor 
Captain Randall, who spent some years in Europe, had 
his ammunition fitted so that the bullets explode on 
striking a bone. They tear a terrible hole in a seal, 
I assure you.” 

“ Indeed I I never saw one of them, although it 
seems to me that I have read of the invention. Have 
you any of the bullets here ? for I suppose the rifle 
was lost at the same time.” 


302 ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 

The sailing-master, or rather pilot, a short, thick-set 
Newfoundlander, took up the conversation. 

Dereks de rifle now, hangin^ over your head. De 
captain was ailin^, an' his brother, who fancied de 
little piece, carried it. Dereks one of de cartridges 
in it yet.^^ 

So saying, he took down a short carbine of the 
Spencer pattern, and unlocking the slide, took out a 
cartridge and handed it to La Salle. It displayed at 
the end of the ball the copper capsule of a rifle-shell. 

Let us go on deck,^’ said Blake, rising ; but as 
they passed again through the narrow passage, they 
heard the struggles of the delirious captain, and his 
oft-repeated cry, I couldn't save him ! I couldu^^ 
save him ! ” 



THE FORECASTLE. 


303 


CHAPTER XXII. 

THE FORECASTLE OF THE SEALER. — A SEAL- 
ER’S STORY. — THE LAST HUNT. — ARRIVAL AT 
ST. JOHN’S. 

N the quarters of the men forward, be- 
tween the lofty and wedge-like bows, 
the rest of the party met with a warm 
reception ; and although grease was 
everywhere a prominent feature of the 
surroundings, still the sense of comfort, warmth, and 
security, made it a paradise to men who had passed 
so many days of discomfort and anxiety. 

Huge kids of beef, potatoes, and bread, with hot 
pannikins of strong black tea, formed their dinner, 
which most of the men preferred to eat on deck ; but 
the boatswain, or rather captain of the forecastle, 
with, perhaps, a dozen others, seated themselves at 
the long hanging shelf which formed the table, and 
listened intently to the story of their varied wander- 
ings and adventures. 

As Regnar concluded, a grizzly-haired sealer from 
Kitty Vitty seized him by the hand. 



304 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


A Sealer’s Story. 

Ye’ve ben lucky, sur ; de Lord be praised for’t, 
for dere’s many a better man nor you dat’s died wid 
hunger an’ cold on de ice. I mind once myself dat 
I sailed out o’ Conception in March, an’ tree weeks 
after dat we were up off Hamilton Inlet. Here was 
a big fleet of us boys, for dat was in de ould times 
when dere were no steamers, but only brigantines 
mostly. 

^^Well, dere was ould Ned Shea in de Li’n, an’ 
Jim Daygle in de Ringdove, an’ Bill ’Hearne in de 
Swler’s Bride, an ourselves in de Truelove, all in 
company ; an’ dat night at dusk we made de Green- 
land ice. Well, de wind was west-nor’-west, an’ we 
put de studdin’-sils onto her, an’ away we went flamin’ 
mad through der slob. 

Well, de ice giv us many a heavy thump dat 
night, but de ould Truelove was well fastened, an’ at 
daylight next mornin’, we heard de watch cry, ^ Swiles ! 
Swiles ! On deck, below dere ! ’ You may be sure we 
wasn’t long in gettin’ on deck wid our guns an’ gaffs, 
an’, sure enough, dere dey was, ould an’ young, atM 
de shaydn (sheathing) off her. 

Den we launched de boats an’ took to de ice ; an’ 
when we landed, de capten said, ^ Trow your guns in 
de boats, an’ at dem wid de gaff ; ’ an’ such a massa- 
cree I never saw since. De flrst I killed was a 
^ harp ; ’ an’ den I killed a ^ hood ’ wid de flrst lick ; 


A SEALEIVS STORK 


305 


an^ den a ^ jenny ^ an' tree ^ white coats but I took 
my toe to dem, an^ all of ^em in a bit of a hollow not 
bigger den dis fo^c^sde, an^ I sculped dem an^ put 
dere sculps on a pinnacle ; an^ so it was all day an’ de 
next. 

But on de t’ird day we were hard at it a good 
way from de vessil, an’ I tought I saw some swiles 
under a hummock, an’ I ran up swingin’ my club ; 
but dey didn’t stir, an’ den I saw dat dey wasn’t 
swiles. Dey was Huskies, two of ’em, dead an’ frozen 
stiff. Dere lines an’ lances lay beside ’em, an’ knives 
of hoop-iron, wid bone hannles, were in dere boots ; 
but dere was no sign of anythin’ to ate, an’ dey 
looked wasted to ’natomies. 

I called de odders, an’ de capten come up an’ 
looked at dem a minute sorrowfuhlike, an’ den said, 
^ Poor fellows ! dey’ve been carried oflf’n de ice, an’ 
starved till dey froze to death ; ’ an’ he tould us to 
bury dem daycently, an’ we closed dem up in a pin- 
nacle. 

“ But it was lucky we was near loaded, for dat put 
a chill on our min’, an’ de tought of dose dead Hus- 
kies lost us many a fine swile, for de boys wouldn’t 
scatter over de ice as dey used to. 

It wasn’t long after dat de capten tould us dat 
we were full enough, an’ away we sailed to de 
sou’-east.” 

Dat was de time de Li’n was lost — wasn’t it ? ” 
inquired another islesman. 

20 


306 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Yes ; on de way down we had an awful gale, an’ 
de Li’n put into de pack an’ got ^ nipped,’ so dat she 
went down ; but her crew was all saved in de boats. 
We put off to say, an’ for two days an’ nights I tought 
we should never say land. Why, we lay to as long as 
we dared, an’ until our deck was full of water, an’ de 
capten said we mus’ do somethin’ else, or we should 
founder. 

I stood in de fore-riggin’ an’ watched de big says 
as dey come down upon us ; an’ I’ll tell you one thing 
you’ll do well to remember. Whenever a big wave 
come dat I knew would sink us, if it broke upon us, I 
made de sign of de holy cross^ art’ de wave broke before 
it reached us.^^ 

I’ve done de same ting often myself, an’ nivir 
knew it to fail,” said the younger man, who, it ap- 
peared, was the son of the veteran sealer. 

But how did you get clear finally ? ” asked Reg- 

nar. 

De ould capten dat was drownded de oder day 
was mate den. He was a wild young chap, but smart 
an’ able. He tould de capten to rig one of de pumps, 
and pump some of de oily water out of de hold. So 
de brakes was rigged, but he an’ de capten had to 
man dem at first, for all de rest were afeard, an’ I was 
in de fore-riggin’ watchin’ de says. 

Well, dey pumped a while, an’ de oil an’ water 
went overboard, an’ as we went driftin’ away to lee- 
ward, I saw de slick of de ile spreadin’ over de 


THE LAST HUNT 


307 


waves. We kept a couple of men at de pumps till 
night, an’ dere wasn’t another say broke over us.” 

Swiles ! Swiles ! On deck, dere below ! ” cried 
some one on deck ; and a general rush up the steep 
ladder leading to the deck took place. 

Following the others, our three friends soon found 
their companion, La Salle, who had pressed through 
the crowded gangways to his party. 

Again they lay below the Deadman’s Berg, and 
around them were the floes, crowded with living 
seals, as well as the one over which the ravenous 
sea-birds fluttered, holding high carnival over the 
multitude of frozen bodies. The crew, armed with 
guns and clubs, were lowering their light boats, and 
the party dragging their own boat to the side, await- 
ed the lowering of a boat to use its falls for their own. 
Blake approached them, and said, kindly, — 

I wouldn’t land; you must be tired, and need rest. 
Just turn in, all of you, in the cabin, for we shall be 
ashore all day.” 

We would rather hunt wdth you, for we shall 
never probably have another chance to see how a 
Newfoundland sealer kills his game. Only, if you 
please, let us have some sheath-knives, and four of 
your clubs.” 

Merely saying, We shall be very glad of your help, 
for we have to leave two of our best men with the cap- 
tain,” Blake spoke to an under-officer, who soon pro- 


308 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


duced four sharp sheath-knives, and as many oaken 
clubs about six feet long, ringed at the top with iron, 
and furnished with a sharp hook, or gaff ; and lower- 
ing their little craft, the four paddled stoutly after the 
fleet of boats, whose wild crews tore the water into 
foam with their oars, as each strove to reach the floes, 
and to win the flrst blood. 

Sixty men, besides La Salle’s party, swept across 
the pool, almost flung their light boats upon the safe 
ice, and prevented from slipping by their spiked 
crampets, charged at full speed upon the frightened 
seals, who fllled the air with their clamorous roars 
and whining. Crick, crack ! fell the heavy clubs on 
every side, and seldom was the stroke repeated ; but 
sometimes an ould hood ” would elevate his inflated 
helmet, and the heavy club would fall upon it, pro- 
ducing a hollow sound, that boomed high above the 
noise of the conflict. Then the officer in charge of 
that gang would step up, present his carbine, and the 
brave seal, shot through the brain, would fall back 
dead, as the report rattled among the ice-peaks. 

Having disposed of the adults, a regular butchery 
took place among the young seals, who were easily 
despatched by a blow on the nose, or a kick with the 
heavy heel of a sealer’s boot on the spinal vertebrm. 
Then followed the sculping,” or skinning, which was 
despatched with marvellous rapidity. At its close the 
men, covered with blood and oil, gathered to their 
boats, and leaving the floe crimsoned with gore, and 


AJV ALTERCATION. 


309 


horrible with bloody and skinless carcasses, hastened 
to another field to continue the work of death. 

Such for two days were the scenes presented to 
the eyes of the companions, who received many com- 
mendations for their assistance, but who rejoiced be- 
yond measure when the word was passed through the 



ship that she was “ full,” and that they were to sail at 


once for St. John’s. 

Once more the black funnel poured forth its cloud 
of smoke, and casting off the lines which attached her 
to the surrounding ice, the Mercedes pressed boldly 
into the pack, and soon our adventurers gazed for 


310 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


the last time on the fading outlines of the Deadman^s 
Berg. 

Two days later, as the steamer rounded Cape Eace, 
the captain, worn and weak, but evidently in his right 
mind, appeared at the table. On being introduced to 
La Salle, he seemed somewhat agitated, but soon as- 
sumed an overbearing and despotic demeanor. To 
Mr. Blake he was particularly insulting. 

Vll have you know, sir, that I am captain now ; 
ay, and owner, too, sir, for my poor brother left 
neither chick nor child in the world but me. Damn 
me, sir ! what right have you to invite everybody to 
my table and cabin ? ay, and put a stranger into my 
brother’s very state-room ? ” 

Blake looked confounded, and the other officers 
sat with bowed heads and lowering brows at this in- 
sult to a man they all loved and respected ; but La 
Salle unconcernedly turned to the newly-hedged com- 
mander, and said, — 

u j regret, captain — really, I forget your name ; 
but let that pass ; but when I came on board, I told 
this gentleman that I would sleep forward with the 
men. I have not cared to speak about it before, but 
I can assure you that I have the worst dreams in that 
state-room that I ever had in my life. I shall try to 
recompense you for the passage of my companions 
and myself when we arrive at St. John’s;’’ and 
rising, he bowed haughtily, and withdrew to the 
deck. 


ARRIVAL AT ST. JOHN^S. 


311 


Ten minutes later he was joined by Blake. 

The captain has apologized to us, and begs that 
you will come to his room, as he is too weak to leave 
the cabin.^^ 

La Salle attended the good-hearted sailor to the 
inner cabin, where a mattress lay upon the table, 
and many appliances, among them a couple of broad 
bandages of stout canvas, bore witness to the severity 
of the captain^s late illness. The sick man attempted 
to rise from his chair as he entered, but was evidently 
very weak, and La Salle interposed, — 

Don^t rise, captain, I beg of you. I see you are 
very weak, and perhaps I was too ready to take of- 
fence. We should not always notice — 

The disagreeable acts of a sick and almost heart- 
broken man,^’ interposed Randall, with a smooth, 
deceitful softness of tone, that instantly reawakened 
La Sallees antipathies. “ I beg you, however,^’ he 
continued, to excuse me, and to make yourself at 
home in your old quarters. I should like to talk 
with you about your strange cruise, but at St. John^s 
we may have a better opportunity over a bottle of 
wine.’^ 

I shall be glad to meet you with my friends as 
soon as I can see Smith & Co., and get some notes 
changed, so . that I can buy suitable clothes for 
myself and friends ; ” and bowing. La Salle with- 
drew. 

That night La Salle looked well to the fastenings 


312 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


of his door, lashing the knob of the lock to a corner 
of his berth, where a knot had dropped out of the 
deal. Several times he felt the thin partition trem- 
ble, and heard the noise of some one tampering with 
the lock ; but at last morning came, and three hours 
later the steamer lay at anchor off the city of St. 
John^s. 

The party had funds enough to secure a change 
of apparel and respectable quarters, until they should 
hear from Waring’s father, to whom he had tele- 
graphed their safe arrival, and want of money. A 
telegram to the wife of the new captain of the Mer- 
cedes, conveyed to Baltimore the news of the death 
of her brother-in-law. 

Of course the party received much attention, and 
for a few days they were the lions of the city, 
although tales of adventure on the ice are of too 
frequent occurrence in St. John^s, to awaken any 
lasting interest; for scarcely a winter elapses with- 
out the arrival of one or more crews who have seen 
their vessel disappear beneath the resistless pressure 
of colliding icebergs. 



THE CAPTAIN^S VISIT 


313 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE CAPTAIN’S VISIT. — HOMEWARD BOUND.— 
BROTHER AND SISTER. 

T last the expected draft arrived, and 
the party wiere to leave for Halifax 
the next day in the Cunard steamer. 
La Salle had invited Captain Randall 
to spend the evening in a private 
parlor of the hotel, and at eight o^clock 
he was ushered in, and found no other guest save his 
first mate, Mr. Blake, who was still first ofiicer of the 
Mercedes. 

The table was well spread with delicacies, and 
although some constraint existed, the wine did its 
work, and soon Blake and Randall were laughing 
and joking, as if no cause for ill-feeling existed be- 
tween them. At Randall’s request La Salle gave a 
summary of their adventures, concluding the recital 
as follows : — 

“ Thus passed the long days of our anxious drift, 
until your vessel steamed back to her old sealing- 
ground, and we left forever behind us our ice-built 
hut and the Deadman’s Berg.” 



314 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


The effect was magical. The smiles faded from 
the faces of the guests. RandalPs lips were drawn 
and thin, his eyes fixed and glittering, and one hand 
stole stealthily to his hip. Regnar, too, was pale, but 
not with fear, and his hand grasped the hilt of the 
antique dagger. 

Let me help you to some of this, captain,^^ said 
La Salle ; and rising, he uncovered a small dish be- 
fore him, and taking from thence a pair of Derringers, 
presented them at the head of his astounded guest. 
Up with your hands, murderer,’’ he said, sternly, 
or you die on the instant ! ” At the same time 
Blake and Regnar seized him by the arms. 

What is the meaning of all this ?” asked Waring, 
trembling and appalled. 

Dis no good. La Salle. No Injin hurt man in his 
wigwam, or strike when he give ’em food,” shouted 
Peter, angry at what he considered a breach of hos- 
pitality ; but both were unheeded. 

“ Why am I treated thus ? ” faltered the prisoner, 
whose trembling knees could scarcely support him. 

Captain Randall, I have here a man with whom 
you have an account to settle. He has been known 
among us as Regnar Orloff. His real name is Reg- 
nar Orloff Hubei. Where is the money and other 
valuables which your brother, Albert Randall, stole 
from two orphans, and was murdered for by you, that 
you in turn might become the thief? ” 

Mr. Blake here knows the story, for we have told 


HUNTED DOWN 


315 


him how we found the corpse of his commander, with 
the skull pierced with one of your murderous shells. 
We buried him in the berg ; if you doubt it, behold 
the tokens.’^ 

Regnar raised his hand : on one finger glittered the 
golden setting of the native talisman ; on the table he 
laid the sheathed dagger. 

“ Are you satisfied, George Randall ? said he. 

The wretch glared around as if he would have de- 
stroyed all who surrounded him ; then he seemed to 
realize the futility of his rage, and catching his breath 
with a fierce sob, he asked, hoarsely, — 

What will you have me do ? 

Regnar stepped forward, and answered for himself. 

Give up the secret money-belt which you took 
from the person of your victim, with its contents un- 
touched, and secure to me compensation for the sums 
taken by your brother. Your life I do not want, but 
if you hesitate I will have both.^^ 

What security have I for your silence ? asked 
Randall, more boldly ; for even his craven fears were 
unable to repress his naturally cold and grasping dis- 
position. 

Only our oaths, and the remembrance that my 
half-sister has slept beneath your roof, and has borne 
your name, although it shall no longer be a reproach 
to her.^’ 

It is hers no longer. She married last week, 
after losing her first beau somewhere at sea : but 


316 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


never mind ; I must take your offer and your word, 
I suppose. Let go of my arms. You may take my 
pistols from my hip, if you are afraid of me.^^ With 
these words he proceeded to unfasten his vest, and 
from beneath it drew a water-proof bag of thin rub- 
ber, which was tightly fastened with twine, and en- 
closed in a money-belt of chamois-skins. It is all 
there but ten thousand dollars, and that he had a 
right to take,’^ said he. 

What do you mean ? asked Regnar, with a 
softened look and glistening eyes. 

Open and read for yoursef,’^ said Randall, moodily. 

Unfastening the belt, Hubei untied the inner bag, 
and poured the contents upon the table. A roll of 
bank bills fell upon it. There were within twenty 
bills of the denomination of one thousand pounds 
each, on the Bank of England, and a folded paper, 
which, on being opened, proved to be a copy of the 
last will and testament of Paul Hubei. By its pro- 
visions a sum amounting to about ten thousand dol- 
lars was given to my old and tried friend, Albert 
Perry.^^ 

Al. put that ten thousand into this vessel last 
year, and I persuaded him to put thirty thousand of 
your money in, too. We made money last spring, 
and I kept trying to get him to buy all of her. He 
took a dislike to your sister, and said he would hold 
on to the money until he found you. Last summer 
he secured a passage on a vessel bound to the Labra- 


HUNTED DOWN 


317 


dor, and only that he got sick, I believe he would 
have seen you then. 

This last winter we had several quarrels about 
the money, but I never meant to injure him until 
the day it happened. We were having splendid 
luck, when he proposed that we should climb the 
berg, as he feared being caught between the pack 
and the islands. We had to ascend on the opposite 
side, and when we got to the top^ we saw the storm 
brewing to windward, and started to return. 

As we came along the ice-foot, I said, ^ You^re 
making money this trip fast. IsnT that better than 
giving up everything to that sullen girl and a half- 
breed boy ? ^ Then he seemed sad, and said, ^ George, 
youVe made a rascal of me ; but, thank God, IVe 
made up my mind to be true to my old comrade 
at last.’ 

' What do you mean ? ’ said I. 

^ I mean,’ said he, turning to me, ^ that I’ve sold 
out the shares I bought with that thirty thousand, and 
I’ve got their money safe here in this belt.’ 

^ But you don’t mean to be such a fool as to give 
it up — do you ? ’ said I ; for I was angry to think 
that, instead of the four shares I had counted on 
all along, we should have but one in the division of 
the profits. 

“ And then I taunted him with a fatal quarrel long 
ago, and he — well, he taunted me with a crime that 
I thought no one knew. Says he, — 


318 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


^ I^m not afraid of you. If the rope is ready for 
my neck, you could scarcely live out the time, be- 
tween the sentence and the gallows, if the people of 
San Francisco once listened to your trial.^ 

So one word brought on another, and at last he 
shook his gaff at me, and made one step ; and my 
blood was on fire, and I fired the carbine. He never 
spoke. 

I don’t believe I ever should have enjoyed the 
money, although at times I felt as if I could hug 
myself when I counted it over ; and I laid out to go 
back to Baltimore, and go into business there. What 
am I to do with the share in the vessel, and his money 
in the bank ? ” he asked, suddenly. 

Eegnar rose, with his eyes red with weeping ; but 
a sad smile wreathed his lips, as he asked, — 

He was your only brother, and unmarried — was 
he not ? ” 

Randall answered, hoarsely, — 

It is true, God help me ! it is true.” 

To all that is his, then, you are sole heir. I lay 
no claim to interest or forfeit, and I wish that thrice 
the sum would restore him to life, since even at the 
last he was not wholly unworthy of my father’s con- 
fidence and his children’s love. Come,” said he, turn- 
ing to those present, and taking from his breast a 
Bible, repeat after me the oath of silence and 
secrecy : — 

^ We, who alone know of the circumstances attend- 


PITY. 


319 


ing the decease of Captain Albert Randall, and the 
suspicions attaching to the part acted therein by his 
brother George Randall, do solemnly swear that, ex- 
cept under the seal of confession, or as compelled 
by the power of the law, we will never divulge our 
knowledge or suspicions until after the decease of the 
brother of the dead.^ 

The oath was taken with due solemnity, and Ran- 
dall rose to depart. Blake, filled with anger and de- 
sire of vengeance, had preceded him. La Salle coldly 
did as common politeness required, but Regnar saw 
that sickness and mental torture had overcome the 
strong man, whose knees trembled beneath him, as, 
with the curse of Cain upon him, he turned to 
depart, without friends, far from home, and weary 
of life. 

It is not right. La Salle, said the boy. I was 
unjust to liinij although it is better for all that no 
eyes but our own saw him laid in the Deadman’s 
Berg. Let us give this man human sympathy ; he is 
weak and sick ; let us see that he does not despair of 
the mercy and love of God.’^ 

La Salle could not but acknowledge the righteous- 
ness of this appeal, and, followed by Regnar, hastened 
into the hall. 

Captain,^^ said he, forgive us if we have failed 
to treat you with Christian forbearance, and believe 
that our hearts will retain your memory, with sym- 
pathy for your heavy burden of remorse, if not with 


320 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


the esteem that might have existed between ns. 
The night is dark and cold ; let us help you to find 
a conveyance. 

I thank you/’ said he, feebly ; you are very kind 
— far kinder than I deserve. No man can measure 
the remorse that burns within me, and yet the world 
would say that you have let me off too easily.” 

La Salle rang the bell sharply, and a waiter hastened 
up from the lower landing. 

Did you ring, sir ? ” 

Yes. Call a cab at once. Regnar, get my coat 
and yours. Mr. Randall, we must see you safely 
home. Where do you board ? ” 

At the Albion ; but you need not take that trou- 
ble. Ah, sir, I know your fears ; but my head is 
clear, and you need not be afraid that I shall do any- 
thing rash. I shall not despair of the pardon of God, 
since I have found some merciful pity in man.” 

The carriage was announced ; the tall form was 
again erect, and the voice, though husky with emo- 
tion, came strangely sweet and clear, as he turned 
to go. 

I would that we might be friends, but I know it 
cannot be. My blessing men would shrink from, if 
they knew what you do ; but may God bless you for 
your kindness to me.” And standing motionless in 
the dusky passage, they heard the footsteps die away 
in the empty corridors, and the rattle of the wheels 
of the vehicle which bore him away forever. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


321 


The next day they took the steamer for Halifax, 
and arriving there, the party separated, Peter and 
Waring going to St. Jean, and La Salle to the home 
of his father in Baltimore, where Regnar also was 
bound, in search of his half-sister. The parting was 
not pleasant, for the mutual trials and dangers of the 
few days spent amid the ice had done more to 
cement a strong and lasting friendship between the 
four, than years of ordinary companionship would 
have done. 

Look out, Peter, when you get on board the Prin- 
cess, for Lund has secured such a story to tell, that 
he may pitch you two overboard to keep you from 
spoiling it by your return.^^ 

All light,^^ answered Peter ; Capten Lund good 
man ; see spirit, too, sure enough. He see two men ; 
he look ^gain, no men dere. He see you an^ me on 
^iice. Snow fall thck, an’ he see us no more. What 
hurt we come back ? Much better we come back for 
all ban’s ; you come back soon, I s’pose, too.” 

Yes, Peter,” answered La Salle, kindly, we shall 
come back soon, and I hope next fall to be spending 
the moonlight nights with you on Shepherd’s Creek, 
and the duck-haunted reed-ponds of Battery Marsh. 
Good by ; ” and going on board, the two friends went 
rather disconsolately to their state-room. 

Regnar still seemed ill at ease, as if he wanted to 
inquire about something; and at last he said, ab- 
ruptly, — 


21 


322 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS, 


Charley, what shall I say to my sister ? 

Say to her, Regnie ? Why, that you are delighted 
to see her, of course. You may add that you come 
to make her wealthy ; that is not likely to hurt your 
reception,^^ said La Salle, philosophically. 

Yes, of course I know that; but — but about 
you, Charley. You know what Randall said about — 
about her — 

About her being married, do you mean ? Why, 
my dear boy, say nothing. I am resigned, and, I may 
say, almost glad that it is so. Neither was it alto- 
gether an unexpected announcement, for I felt long 
ago that my first impressions upon her susceptible 
heart had faded with lapse of time and a low state 
of the exchequer. No, no, boy ! be kind and loving 
to her, for she has not your firmness of soul or depth 
of affection. I carry you to her as my marriage gift. 
Is it agreed ? 

It is, Charley ; and you will not let the caprice 
of a girl separate me from my friend — will you. La 
Salle ? 

Regnie,^^ answered the other, not without a touch 
of tenderness in his tone, the bonds which connect us 
are not the ties of passion, or the calm preferences of 
the selfish world. We met amid a gathering of sav- 
age and half-civilized men, and our acquaintance has 
ripened into friendship amid many dangers and 
strange experiences. A doubtful and dangerous 


TWO VISITS. 


323 


quest still lies before you. I hope that you will not 
undertake it without me to accompany you.’^ 

You, of all men, are the one I should choose, and 
we will set out this very summer to carry out my 
father’s wishes ; ” and during the rest of their journey 
little was talked of but their future expedition into 
the interior of Newfoundland. 

At Baltimore La Salle and his friend went to the 
home of the former, and were received as men from 
the dead. Of course the papers were full of sketches 
of their strange adventure, and wood- cuts of icebergs 
and seals covered the paper-stands for a week ; and 
then a horrible murder, and a delicious bit of scandal 
in high life, closed the brief notoriety of the friends. 

Two visits were paid during the first week of their 
return. Both ealled on the day of their arrival at 
Mrs. Randall’s, and La Salle sent up his card. After 
waiting a while, that lady, who was not without mis- 
givings as to what might be said about her match- 
making proclivities, sailed into the room very richly 
dressed, and rather red in the face. 

I am happy to see you, Mr. La Salle, and to know 
that you were not really lost, after all. Do you make 
a long stay in the city ? ” 

Don’t waste unnecessary effort to appear cool and 
freezingly polite, Mrs. Randall,” said La Salle, calmly. 
“ I am here on a matter of business. I want Pauline’s 
present address, as it is highly important that I should 
see her at once.” 


324 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


Dear Pauline resides at No. — Crescent Avenue, 
and is now, as you are, of course, aware, the wife of 
Mr. Reginald Ashley, who is, as you know, closely con- 
nected with some of our first families.’^ 

Yes, I know he is first cousin to Green, the rich 
broker, who sometimes invites him to dinners and 
parties, and makes it twice as hard for poor Ashley 
to make his small salary at the custom-house pay 
his way.’^ 

^^Well, I dare say Pauline has done as well, and 
even better than she might have done, had not the 
poor girl had some one to advise her, who knew the 
world and — 

Threw away an heiress worth fifty thousand dol- 
lars on a clerk with eighteen hundred dollars a year,^^ 
interrupted La Salle, with a smile. I beg leave, 
Mrs. Randall, to introduce to you Regnar Hubei, her 
half-brother, who comes to return to her her moiety 
of the fortune left by her father. I did not come 
here,^^ continued he, more gravely, to bandy bitter 
words, for you will ere long hear news from New- 
foundland, which, I hope, will teach you that hid- 
den sin is never safe from discovery, and that all 
injustice meets with its meed of punishment. Adieu, 
madam.” 

Later in the day they called at the hotel, where the 
. young couple were passing the honeymoon. Slipping 
a douceur into the hands of the waiter, he introduced 
them into the suit without the usual presentation of 


TtVO VISITS, 


325 


visiting cards. As the young bride swept into the 
boudoir in her reception dress, La Salle stepped for- 
ward ; for he knew that she had already heard of his 
arrival. 

Charley — Mr. La Salle ! Why — that is, how do 
you do ? I was glad to hear — 

La Salle interrupted the fair speaker, for the awk- 
wardness and pain of the interview were but too ap- 
parent. 

I did not come, Mrs. Ashley, to give you pain, 
or annoy you by my presence. I come to fulfil a 
prophecy.^^ 

To fulfil a prophecy ? You speak in riddles, and 
I have never delighted much in anything of that kind 
since I was a child.^^ 

I may say, then, that I come to offer my congratu- 
lations, and to bring you my bridal gift.'^ 

A gift? and from you ? Surely you do not mean 
to offer, and I cannot accept it.^^ 

Eegnar arose, and addressing the agitated girl, 
ended the painful interview. 

You were the daughter of Paul Hubei, of Schles- 
wig — were you not ? 

Yes, sir. I was adopted by the brother of Mr. 
Randall, who was the friend of my father.’^ 

Then, I assure you that my friend speaks truth. 
He has fulfilled a prediction, and gives you a fortune, 
and the brother who shares it with you.^^ 

The next few moments were spent in mutual expla- 


526 


ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS. 


nations, and the young girl, deprived of a mother^s 
love in early life, sent away to learn lifers duties of 
strangers, and yearning during all her brief existence 
for the affection she had never known, received the 
brother she had never seen with an outburst of wel- 
come which revealed what she might have been, had 
her life been spent under happier auspices. 

At last La Salle interrupted their mutual joy. 

I have finished my task, and the prophecy of 
Krasippe is accomplished.^^ 

Yes,’^ said Regnar, “ last summer I met with an 
old Esquimaux who served our father well for many 
years, and who now claims some power of insight into 
the future. He heard the story of my futile efforts to 
find you, but uttered this prophecy which we to-day 
accomplish. He said, ^ You will meet in a desert of 
ice the man who will lead you to your hearths dearest 
wish. He will lose, and you will gain.^ 

And yet, Regnie, although the coincidence of 
events may bring me within the purview of the 
Esquimaux oracle, I have a misgiving that we have, 
perhaps, overlooked the claims of one whom we met 
but once in a desert of ice, and who still voyages, in 
silence unbroken, ADRIFT IN THE ICE-FIELDS.’^ 


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